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Jenny Watt has made discussing death a cornerstone of her life. The 31-year-old spends multiple evenings each week engaging in conversations with individuals, whether they are familiar faces or strangers, about various aspects of death – from navigating grief to selecting the perfect funeral song. Jenny oversees a few death cafés in different locations across Glasgow, which serve as community spaces designed to foster open dialogue and discourse on a topic that many prefer to avoid. One of BBC Scotland News’ reporters attended one of the weekly gatherings, which Jenny believes plays a significant role in breaking down societal taboos surrounding the subject.
One might wonder what motivates someone to dedicate their time to conversations about the end of life. According to Jenny, approximately half of the attendees at her sessions are present to work through some form of grief, whether it’s the aftermath of recent loss or mourning from decades past. She attributes her interest in death to a deep and intrinsic curiosity from an early age, noting that death is an inevitability for all. The act of discussing death helps individuals recognize that it is not as intimidating as it may seem when tackled collectively.
Jenny’s initiation into the world of death cafés began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she attended an online session out of curiosity rather than an urgent need to cope with significant loss. Upon realizing the absence of local grief discussion groups in Glasgow as in-person meetings resumed, Jenny took the initiative to establish her own safe space around two and a half years ago in the Battlefield neighborhood, despite initial fears of low turnout. Over time, individuals began attending – whether sporadically or consistently – to partake in conversations about mortality and the complexities of life over tea and cake.
At a recent meeting in Jenny’s café that BBC Scotland visited, individuals of varying backgrounds, including both regulars and newcomers, gathered for discussion. Jenny estimates that around 25% of attendees are either diagnosed with a serious condition or serve as caregivers, while the remaining participants attend out of pure interest in the subject matter. Regardless of the topic at hand, Jenny emphasizes that no subject is off limits during these gatherings, encouraging participants to freely express themselves and engage in open dialogue
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