An in-person community gathering that provides a space for conversations about grief, mortality and end-of-life planning
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., April 9, 2026 – The OC Deathworkers Alliance (OCDWA) will host its free monthly public Death Café on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30 to 7 pm at Neighborhood Congregational Church. This community event will offer an informal, open conversation about end-of-life planning, death, and dying, shared over refreshments. They are held on the third Thursday of each month.
Co-founder and end-of-life consultant Barbara McMurray shared, “For those curious about the end of life, Death Cafés offer a safe, accepting place to ask questions or share experiences.” She created the OC Deathworkers Alliance in May 2024 with Rickie Redman and Debbie Naudé, both also end-of-life consultants, known as death doulas. Death doulas provide practical, emotional, and spiritual non-medical support to individuals and families.
Death Cafés began in East London in 2011 and are now a worldwide movement fostering community. The format encourages attendees to reflect on death, share stories, or listen in a relaxed, supportive environment. While discussions are peer-led, OCDWA members will be present to answer practical questions about advance directives, caregiving, medical aid in dying, hospice, body disposition, home funerals, and related topics.
About the OC Deathworkers Alliance
Besides Death Cafés and public education events, OCDWA holds informal, bimonthly gatherings for its members to “talk shop” and learn about the many facets of deathcare. In addition to death doulas, the growing Alliance membership includes physicians, caregivers, hospice workers, chaplains, pastors, farmers, website designers, artists, photographers, crematory owners, and professional organizers.
Event Details:
- What: Free Public Death Café presented by the Orange County Deathworkers Alliance (OCDWA)ocdeathworkers.com
- When: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 5:30 to 7 pm and every third Thursday
- Where: Bridge Hall, Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. Free parking in church lot.
- Cost: Free admission, free refreshments
- RSVP: None required
Organizers emphasize that Death Cafés are not grief support groups and do not replace therapy. Instead, they offer community forums for open discussion and reflection on death-related topics.
The OC Deathworkers Alliance, founded in May 2024 by Barbara McMurray, Debbie Naudé, and Rickie Redman, provides resources and supports end-of-life conversations in Orange County, California. The organization is dedicated to building death literacy by normalizing mortality as a part of life and educating people about death-related topics.
For more information about the OC Deathworkers Alliance, please visit ocdeathworkers.com.
Here are some of the services they promote on their website:
Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is a safe and legal end-of-life option that allows certain terminally ill Californians to receive doctor-prescribed medication to hasten their death. (lethal drugs)
Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED). (starving to death)