Using Death Cafes as a Method for Discussing Death and Dying (Dr Brian Nyatanga and Sue Brayne)

Death Cafés are increasingly being held to facilitate discussions around death and dying and end-of-life issues. They provide a safe, confidential and interactive space in which sensitive and supportive conversations about death and dying and end-of-life are shared. In this free virtual lecture our speakers will explore third year nursing students’ experience of participating in a death café and its impact on their learning about death and dying.

Dr Brian Nyantanga is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Professional Studies at the University of Worcester. Dr Nyatanga wrote his first book “Why is it so difficult to die?” in 2001. He is a trained PhD supervisor, examiner and chair of Viva Voce panels. His clinical background is in palliative care, and he teaches research methodology, leadership and advanced communication skills as well as conducting his own research. Brian writes a monthly palliative care column for the British Journal of Community Nursing. The main purpose of the column is to encourage palliative care into the community and share knowledge and palliative care practice with professionals working in the field.

Sue Brayne originally trained as a state registered nurse. She has an MA in the Rhetoric and Rituals of Death and was an honorary researcher for Dr Peter Fenwick’s five-year retrospective study into end-of-life experiences. She is the author of several books on death, dying and mortality, including Nearing the End of Life: a guide for relatives, friends and carers. For many years Sue worked as a psychotherapist, specialising in trauma, end of life issues, bereavement and grief.  She has also facilitated numerous Death Cafes in many different settings and hosts the Embracing Your Mortality podcast. Recently she published Granny Mo, Is Teddy Going to Die? her first early years picture book which helps young children and adults to talk together about death and dying.