Aucklanders are being invited into a new kind of conversation at their local library, one that’s honest, thoughtful and surprisingly uplifting as Death Cafés pop up across the region.
Since a successful pilot launch at Mt Roskill Library in May 2023 to meet a community need, Death Cafés are now available in 10 community libraries right across the region and operate monthly. They offer free, welcoming spaces where people can come together to talk about death and dying in a relaxed and informal way.
The initiative follows the international Death Café model, which aims to ‘increase awareness of death with a view to help people make the most of life’ and is brought to libraries throughout Tāmaki Makaurau thanks to Auckland Council Libraries, Honohono Tātou Katoa Creating Compassionate Communities Trust and Mercy Hospice.
“Our libraries are wonderful safe spaces for our communities, and this is a useful addition to the wide range of activities they offer,” says Community Committee Chair, Councillor Julie Fairey.
“By bringing people together in these relaxed, open-minded sessions, we're fostering stronger community connections through meaningful conversations, curiosity and shared experiences."
Alexis McCullough, Whānau Learning Specialist at Auckland Council Libraries says libraries are places where communities go to learn, connect, and share knowledge, making them ideal spaces for Death Cafés.
“These sessions offer a unique lifelong learning opportunity, supporting the growth of end-of-life literacy through kōrero, which can range from cultural perspectives on death and dying, to more practical and legal matters, or even the death of a beloved pet,” says Alexis.
“By partnering with the Honohono Tātou Katoa Trust and Mercy Hospice to deliver these sessions in our libraries, we're offering opportunities for the community to come together to learn and to feel a sense of belonging. While Death Cafés are not grief or counselling sessions, they do offer a unique opportunity to connect with our community while engaging in a topic that's often left unspoken.
The sessions are facilitated by volunteers for Honohono Tātou Katoa Trust to enable members of diverse communities to navigate the journey around death, with dignity and choice.
“Our inevitable death is as natural as our birth and it benefits us all when we talk about it," says Allison Bartlett-Morley, Honohono Tātou Katoa Trust.
"Our mission is to work alongside whānau and communities to build understanding, preparedness and a sense of belonging around death, loss and grief. Death Cafés are a gentle but powerful way to bring people together to do just that."
Death Cafés run for an hour and a half and encourage all participants to partake in a casual conversation or simply listen in. Tea and coffee are made available along with an intentionally warm and inviting atmosphere ready to welcome curious Aucklanders.
These efforts are made especially visible during Dying Matters Week, an annual awareness week that takes place from 7-13 September 2026, when libraries across Auckland host events and share resources to help communities engage more openly with end-of-life conversations.
To visit a Death Café at a library near you, visit the Honohono website.