Thinking Out Loud: Contradicting Ourselves While Facing Death (Op-ed)

By John Catrett We sing songs about dying, we long for a better place, we marvel about the pearly gates of heaven, and we find joy in the thought of reuniting with our deceased loved ones. Yet, when faced with impending death, we pray for miracles of healing and second chances at life. Is this possible because we really have not accepted the reality of death or the impermanence of life? There is a surge in positive conversations about death, such as the Death Cafes, where individuals gather to eat snacks, drink coffee/tea, and discuss the subject of death. The objective is to increase the awareness of death and help individuals make the most of life. These are not meetings of grief support or counseling sessions, but reportedly discussion groups that invite humor and laughter while discussing the somber topic of death.