Design by Jothan Cashero

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.

Civic Solidarity: Conversations on Death & Society

Join us for an open forum on the past, present, and future of socially and environmentally sustainable memorialization and burial in New York City. This event is sponsored by the New York Community Trust and presented by Columbia University DeathLAB and The Green-Wood Cemetery.  We invite you to share your thoughts, hopes, and questions about ... 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

Things That Matter: Tails, Paws, Beaks, & Claws

Our beloved pets are as much a part of the family as any human, and the grief that follows their deaths can hold more weight than we anticipated. As dogs, cats, parakeets, gerbils, lizards, and goldfish have shorter lives, loving and caring for them in both youth and old age can be transformational in our ... Read more

Grieving & Weaving: Matters of the Heart

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 February meeting of Grieving & ... 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

Grieving & Weaving: National Craft Month

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 March meeting of Grieving & ... Read more

Financial End of Life Planning 101

In partnership with Ameriprise Financial There are two great taboos: death and money. This evening, we will tackle both! Daniel Delaney of Ameriprise Financial will present a holistic overview of what questions we should be asking ourselves and our loved ones to plan for the end of life. He will cover topics like tax, insurance, ... 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

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.