Time to talk about what you probably don’t want to think about: It’s Deathsploration Month

It’s October, and for the first time, it’s Deathsploration month. Here’s the announcement:

Deathsploration is a month-long effort to increase conversation about death and dying in Washington. Beginning on October 1 and running through November 2, community organizations and businesses in western Washington will work in partnership to create opportunities for engagement through education, art, dance, movement, death cafes, community outreach, workshops, and more.

In the United States, the topic of death and dying is not commonly paired with living. Deathsploration is an opportunity to reestablish the normalcy of death, a subtle reminder that talking about and preparing for death will not cause one’s death. Similarly, not talking about death will not keep it away. It is our hope that the exploration of death — through all the senses and on our own terms — will help people on the way to a good death.

Several of the community events that are part of this monthlong exploration are here in West Seattle – a Blessing of the Animals Friday night at Resting Waters (9205 35th SW), a Death Café on October 15th at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), the daylong conference Une Bonne Mort at the Alki Masonic Center on November 1st, and a daylong Resource Fair (followed by a dance party) at Camp Long on November 2nd.

heartless October 1, 2019 (5:36 pm)

Yikes, but it sounds like they are doing good work.

On the other hand I really feel they missed the boat by not going with Ex-ploration. Not a big fan of ‘Deathsploration’.

Shannon October 1, 2019 (7:09 pm)

There’s a typo in the headline – it should be “think” not “thnk”.

WSB October 1, 2019 (8:27 pm)

Thank you, fixed.

Lesley McQ October 1, 2019 (9:51 pm)

I love that this is a thing. Our culture really doesn’t like to talk about the inevitable. I think it’s perfectly healthy and normal to talk about and am really glad these conversations are happening.

LK October 2, 2019 (7:53 am)

Completely agree. Our culture is known to hide death and not discuss it. As the population ages, it’s a good topic to get out in the open. Preparing for the inevitable, one can make sure their wishes are carried out as well as make things easier on those left behind.

anonyme October 2, 2019 (6:58 am)

Recently, I was encouraged to watch “Speaking of Dying”. I was sickened by it. Watching it was like a slap in the face. Not due to the subject matter, nor the idea of dying on one’s own terms, but the focus on a specific socio-economic group – one with choices, due to family support and adequate resources. In every scenario, the dying person was either at home or a nice, private facility and surrounded by a loving family. I wish someone would look at the very real and prevalent reality for many, many people – that of dying poor and alone. I’ve talked to a lot of people in this position; most have made the decision and the plan to end their lives on their own terms rather than face the ultimate indignity of being forced out of their homes and into state-run institutions. This is a conversation that many are having in private, but one that society does not want to address.

justme October 2, 2019 (7:48 am)

One of the reasons it’s so darn expensive to lay a loved one to rest these days is because we don’t plan ahead and explore options. I know that’s a small part of the Death conversations, but the costs can be so ridiculous and there are less expensive choices still with dignity and honor.

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