Death Cafe

An open and honest discussion about death and as it is perceived by the living. We can’t avoid it so let’s talk about it! Our objective is in keeping with the philosophy of the founder of Death Cafe – to increase awareness of death with a view to helping the living make the most of their finite lives. Death Café’s began in 2004 with the aim of breaking the “tyrannical secrecy” surrounding the topic of death.

Kelly Grimaldi and Paula Lemire are cemetery historians working for two of the largest rural cemeteries located near the Capital of New York State in the Village of Menands. Kelly is employed as the Associate Director with her office located on the grounds of the 114-acre St. Agnes Cemetery which is located next to the 467-acre Albany Rural Cemetery where Paula serves as the Communications Coordinator. Both cemeteries offer visitors beautiful vistas, historic monuments and statuary and interesting private mausoleums. Albany Rural Cemetery was established as part of the rural cemetery movement in 1844 and serves as the final resting place for many prominent citizens and politicians including the frequently visited gravesite of President Chester Arthur. A 150-year-old wrought iron fence separates this secular cemetery from the Catholic St. Agnes Cemetery founded in 1867 to meet the needs of a growing Catholic community in the Albany area.  

Kelly and Paula host many educational and entertaining programs and events at their respective cemeteries. They look forward to offering Death Cafes to be held in some of the most interesting locations on the grounds of their peaceful and historic sacred grounds.

 

Register for either or both sessions:

June 16, 2023   2 – 3:30 PM St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Avenue, Menands, NY 12204

We will meet in front of the white stone office building and then drive up to the meeting site if weather conditions permit. In the event of inclement weather, we will meet inside the Visitor Center where our office is located.  Contact [email protected] or call 518-350-7679 for more information.

 

June 23, 2023  2 – 3:30 PM   Albany Rural Cemetery, 3 Cemetery Avenue, Menands, NY 12204

We will meet in front of the red brick office building and then drive up to the meeting site if weather conditions perm

it. In the event of inclement weather, we will meet inside the Chapel.  Contact [email protected] or call 518-463-7017 for more information.

 

Death Café is free, $3 suggested refreshment donation.

Please note this is not a bereavement support group.