Death Education
Free programs on death, dying, and remembrance
If a cemetery isn’t the perfect setting for a conversation about death, what is?
It doesn’t often come up too often in small talk—it’s one of the last great taboos. Here at Green-Wood, we aim to change that. Our free public programs in death education demystify a wide range of topics relating to end of life. Scroll down for upcoming programs.
What is death education? It’s an umbrella term for studies and activities that facilitate the understanding and acceptance of death. In short, it’s all about getting comfortable with the uncomfortable universal truth of dying. It can incorporate understanding everyday practices like funerals and cremation, or exploring historical and cultural approaches to death. At Green-Wood we offer practical programs in death preparedness (including workshops on grief), lectures by academic experts in the death-positive field, programs that examine death through the lens of different cultures, and Death Cafes (informal, guided conversations about death).
Green-Wood’s death education programs are curated by Gabrielle Gatto, coordinator of public programs. She holds a certificate in Thanatology from The Open Center and is a graduate of the Going with Grace End of Life Training program with Alua Arthur.
Exit Strategy: Community Days
Green-Wood’s artist in residence Adam Tendler invites you to contribute to his upcoming installation Exit Strategy (opening June 2024). Exit Strategy is a site specific installation in Green-Wood’s Fort Hamilton Gatehouse that interrogates the complex relationship between grief and personal identity, creating an immersive environment that meditates on how we attach ourselves to memories and physical objects, and the ... Read more
Pride & Performance: Soul Showcase
In partnership with Death of the Party and Brooklyn Community Pride Center Join us for an open-mic style variety showcase about grief and loss centering voices of the LGBTQ+ community. Green-Wood is hosting Death of the Party for their first-ever variety showcase, inviting talented individuals to perform their works surrounding themes of loss. Founded by ... Read more
The Future of the Funeral
Join us as we examine the impact of evolving cultural landscapes on funeral practices, considering how diverse belief systems, multicultural influences, and changing demographics are shaping the rituals of tomorrow. We will explore the role of technology in memorialization, from virtual ceremonies and digital memorials to the use of artificial intelligence in creating personalized and ... Read more
Grieving & Weaving: Maternal Moments
There is something cathartic about working with yarn—a solace to be found in methodically creating patterns and textures with your own hands. Join Green-Wood Death Educator Gabrielle R. Gatto and artist Mary Pat Klein as they bring together creativity and contemplation with an evening of knitting and crocheting. For the May meeting of Grieving & ... Read more
Exit Strategy: Community Days
Green-Wood’s artist in residence Adam Tendler invites you to contribute to his upcoming installation Exit Strategy (opening June 2024). Exit Strategy is a site specific installation in Green-Wood’s Fort Hamilton Gatehouse that interrogates the complex relationship between grief and personal identity, creating an immersive environment that meditates on how we attach ourselves to memories and physical objects, and the ... Read more
Mortality & Me: Green-Wood’s Book Club
It’s often difficult to engage in conversations about death: Will I say the wrong thing? Am I going to offend someone? Who wants to talk about that morbid stuff anyway? Green-Wood’s book club, Mortality & Me, will help make death an easier subject to talk about through compelling books that tackle this topic head on. ... Read more
Mortality & Me: Featuring Special Guest, Author Alix Strauss
Author and New York Times contributor, Alix Strauss, makes a return appearance to Green-Wood! This time, Alix will lead our popular book club series, Mortality & Me. She’ll read excerpts from her two her books, The Joy of Funerals: 20th Anniversary Edition, and Death Becomes Them: Unearthing the Suicides of the Brilliant, the Famous, and ... Read more
Death Cafe
The Death Cafe is a simple concept. Bring strangers together to discuss one of the great universal truths: death. With thousands of chapters in over 25 countries around the world, Death Cafes are informal gatherings that aim to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives.” There ... Read more
Death Cafe
The Death Cafe is a simple concept. Bring strangers together to discuss one of the great universal truths: death. With thousands of chapters in over 26 countries around the world, Death Cafes are informal gatherings that aim to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives.” There ... Read more
Mortality & Me: Green-Wood’s Book Club
It’s often difficult to engage in conversations about death: Will I say the wrong thing? Am I going to offend someone? Who wants to talk about that morbid stuff anyway? Green-Wood’s book club, Mortality & Me, will help make death an easier subject to talk about through compelling books that tackle this topic head on. ... Read more
Green-Wood’s public programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, as well as the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
