Circle of Friends for the Dying actively promotes events that give people the opportunity to explore their feelings about death—such as our monthly Circle of Friends Death Cafés—and to learn about the various issues pertaining to dying, like preparing your end-of-life advance directives or taking advantage of hospice when the time comes.
We feel that knowledge is power, which can bring great relief during a time of powerlessness. We can’t control our dying, but we can explore ways to do it so that the choices available to us become meaningful options.
In the past, CFD has hosted provoking speaking engagements in the Hudson Valley region. We held a day-long seminar at Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston, New York, with Stephen Jenkinson, author of Die Wise and Come of Age among other titles. Jenkinson, also a teacher, a farmer, and an activist in what he calls “the death trade,” spoke of his experiences in Toronto hospitals, where his job was to counsel terminal patients and ease their way to accepting death.
We’ve responded to the interests expressed by Death Café participants by inviting pertinent speakers to present brief talks before each Death Café begins. We’ve hosted Sharon DiCarlo of Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, Laurie Schwartz (CFD co-founder) who talked about homes for the dying and our project, Circle Home, and Jo Scari, CFD board member, to talk on securing one’s LGBTQ identity in death, among many other fascinating subjects.
And we occasionally throw parties, like the Day of the Dead dance and fundraiser held at BSP in Kingston and Circlestock, a benefit concert and dance, held at The Colony in Woodstock, New York. Let us know how we can contact you when things are happening!
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CFD Death Café with Presentation
Saugerties Senior Center 4 High Street, Saugerties, NY, United StatesThe Gift of Organ Donation with Butch Dener
At Death Cafés, the aim is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives. At a CFD Death Café, each conversation is preceded with a brief presentation to expand our understanding of different topics related to dying and death.
CFD Death Café with Presentation
Woodstock Jewish Congregation 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, NY, United StatesAdvance Directives and Why Everyone Needs Them with Laurie Schwartz
At Death Cafés, the aim is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives. At a CFD Death Café, each conversation is preceded with a brief presentation to expand our understanding of different topics related to dying and death.
CFD Death Café with Presentation
Saugerties Library 91 Washington Avenue, Saugerties, NY, United StatesPrivacy, Compassion, and Grace When Farewells Are Upon Us
At Death Cafés, the aim is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives. At a CFD Death Café, each conversation is preceded with a brief presentation to expand our understanding of different topics related to dying and death.
CFD Death Café with Presentation
The Kirkland 2 Main St, Kingston, NYAt Death Cafés, the aim is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives. At a CFD Death Café, each conversation is preceded with a brief presentation to expand our understanding of different topics related to dying and death.
CFD Death Café with Presentation
Old Dutch Church 272 Wall St., Kingston, NYUptown Kingston here we come … again! If you missed us in October, be sure to join us this November. Tuesday, November 19 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at The Old Dutch Church, located at 272 Wall St. in Uptown Kingston. This month our CFD Death Café will be preceded by a brief presentation… Read More »CFD Death Café with Presentation
Cancelled- CFD Death Café with Presentation
Ellenville Public Library 40 Center St, Ellenville, NY, United StatesWe are asking for RSVP as a result of unknown weather conditions.
CFD Death Café via Zoom on 4/14
This April, we will be gathering via the inter-web and providing CFD Death Café gatherings via virtual means. We are a community of folks who enjoy hanging out together, something we can't currently do in person. This April, we'll attempt to maintain the friendly connections we've established these past few years by providing an online… Read More »CFD Death Café via Zoom on 4/14
CFD on Planet Seniors on Radio Kingston!
Tune in for Planet Seniors on Radio Kingston! Rita Vanacore will be talking to Circle of Friends for the Dying again on Monday, May 11th - 8:00 PM Join us by visiting https://radiokingston.org/en/broadcast/planet-seniors or by listening at 107.9 or 1490 AM! Featuring numerous CFD Board Members and Volunteers. Planet Seniors is dedicated to the proposition… Read More »CFD on Planet Seniors on Radio Kingston!