Tuesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:15 pm ET on January 6th, January 20th, and February 3rd, with a makeup session on February 24th

When you acknowledge and accept that you will die, you can more deeply explore how to live as fully as possible in the time you have. Sam Stebbins, End of Life Doula, Certified Interspiritual Counselor, and retired physician will lead a three-session discussion group to help you find and use your unique creative spark.

The course consists of three 75-minute ZOOM sessions that take place every two weeks over two months. Cost: $40. Please contact Sam for enrollment.

Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 5:00–5:30 PM | Meeting room link, no RSVP necessary

A gentle, monthly drop-in. Come say hi. Bring your thoughts, questions, or just your face. Whether you’re knee-deep in this work or quietly circling it, this is a space to connect, reflect, and be in community

Location: Zoom

Mary Jo will guide us in gentle discussion where our views and expectations regarding grief and loss will be explored and then suggest how joy and humor are accessible tools for coping, stress reduction, and healing. This is not about ‘cheering up’ grief but instead allowing space for the whole of our emotional experience and response. There will be quiet time for reflection and opportunities to share as you feel led. Join Mary Jo in this safe and sacred space to discover the humor that can be found in the heartbreaks and absurdities of life, the healing that is possible through laughter and lightness, and how community can accelerate healing.

COST: $75

For more information, follow this link.

Thursday, January 29, 2026 | 6:30 PM | Kbird DC, 1333 P Street NW, DC (RSVP to Ali)

Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins is a collection of interconnected essays that illuminates what happens to people who die while experiencing homelessness, or who become indigent or unclaimed at the end of life. Guided by rotating readings from the book, these gatherings are hosted by death doula Ali Brill. 

Join us for a Death Cafe—an open, informal gathering where people come together to talk about death, dying, and the many thoughts and feelings that surround them. There is no set agenda or objective beyond creating a welcoming space for honest conversation. It’s not a grief support group or counseling session, but rather a chance to explore a topic we all share in common.

Tea and cake will be served as we reflect, share, and listen in a spirit of curiosity and respect.

Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins is a collection of interconnected essays that illuminates what happens to people who die while experiencing homelessness, or who become indigent or unclaimed at the end of life. Guided by rotating readings from the book, these gatherings are hosted by death doula Ali Brill. 

(RSVP to Ali) 

Dates: Jan 24 2-3:30 pm, Jan 31 10:30-noon, Feb 4 10:30-noon, Feb 15 2-3:30 pm

Glencarlyn Park, Arlington, VA

Join an intimate nature walk that will evoke connections with the seasonality of the natural world and your mortality. We will discern how we can live more fully by considering our eventual death. We will be outside, dress appropriately, and wear comfortable shoes. We will be on accessible paved and/or natural trails, and will go up and down hills. Participants should be able to walk/roll two miles. Bring a journal and something to write with. No pets. ARRIVE 15 MIN EARLY PLEASE.

$25-$45-$65+ pricing options.

https://sacredjourneydeathdoula.com/#workshops

The East Rockville Death Cafe is a community of people interested in being thoughtful about death and dying. We feel honored to offer a place to discuss death and its physical, emotional and financial aspects and effects on those dying and their family and friends. We talk about practical things and often have participants with specific knowledge: death doula, advanced planning, funeral practices, etc. We have been meeting for more than 6 years. If you can attend please email pdubroof@assistinghands.com for the meeting ID and Password.

Sunday, January 4th, 2025 | 5:00–5:30 PM | Meeting room link, no RSVP necessary

A gentle, monthly drop-in. Come say hi. Bring your thoughts, questions, or just your face. Whether you’re knee-deep in this work or quietly circling it, this is a space to connect, reflect, and be in community

Sunday, February 1, 2025 | 5:00–5:30 PM | Meeting room link, no RSVP necessary

A gentle, monthly drop-in. Come say hi. Bring your thoughts, questions, or just your face. Whether you’re knee-deep in this work or quietly circling it, this is a space to connect, reflect, and be in community

Sunday, January 4th, 2025 | 12:10–1:30 PM | 1500 Harvard Street NW

Join DCDC steering committee member Leslie Tolf for the newly launched cafe gathering ~ email her to register. 

Join us for "Grieving Over the Holidays," a webinar designed to support individuals navigating loss during this emotionally challenging time of year. Discover practical strategies, share in a supportive community, and find ways to honor your feelings. Together, we'll explore paths to healing and resilience amidst the holiday season.

Please get in touch with Leslie at leslieatolf@gmail.com with any questions. Register here. Free.

Interested in building community around our shared mortality? Join us every other month for casual, thoughtful conversation about death, dying, grief—and ultimately, life. Guided by rotating readings, these gatherings are hosted by death doula Ali Brill on the last Thursday of every other month. RSVP here!

📍Kbird DC, 1333 P St NW, Washington, DC

December 4th, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM              

An intimate monthly gathering to talk openly about death over tea and sweets. There’s no agenda—just space to be curious, contemplative, and in conversation. These Cafes are part of a global movement to demystify and destigmatize death through community dialogue.

Facilitated by a rotating crew of regional volunteers, each Death Cafe is gently held in a spirit of presence and privacy. Our Death Doula in Residence, Laura Lyster-Mensh, represents the Cemetery at these events.

Free to attend. You're welcome to bring something to share—tea, sweets, or a small donation (suggested $5) to support event costs.

Due to space limits, please reserve your seat in advance. To join the waitlist or ask questions, email Laura

📍The Historic Congressional Cemetery Chapel, 1801 E St SE, Washington, DC

Thursday December 4th, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM              

An intimate monthly gathering to talk openly about death over tea and sweets. There’s no agenda—just space to be curious, contemplative, and in conversation. These Cafes are part of a global movement to demystify and destigmatize death through community dialogue.

Facilitated by a rotating crew of regional volunteers, each Death Cafe is gently held in a spirit of presence and privacy. Our Death Doula in Residence, Laura Lyster-Mensh, represents the Cemetery at these events.

Free to attend. You're welcome to bring something to share—tea, sweets, or a small donation (suggested $5) to support event costs.

Due to space limits, please reserve your seat in advance. To join the waitlist or ask questions, email Laura

📍The Historic Congressional Cemetery Chapel, 1801 E St SE, Washington, DC

Interested in building community around our shared mortality? Join us every other month for casual, thoughtful conversation about death, dying, grief — and ultimately, life. Guided by rotating readings, these gatherings are hosted by death doula Ali Brill on the last Thursday (DC) and Sunday (MD) of every other month.

📍People’s Book, 7014 Westmoreland Ave Suite A, Takoma Park, MD (RSVP here)

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 6:30–8:30 PM |  KBird DC, 1333 P St NW

Come join us in Logan Circle for a get together ~ let’s put some names to faces! Bring your curiosity, bring a friend, bring yourself. All are welcome. 

In our culture, grief is expected to be somber and isolating – a solitary burden that keeps us disconnected from our full humanity. These cultural expectations often prevent true healing and trap people in prolonged suffering. This workshop, lead by DCDC member Mary Jo Neil, challenges these harmful norms by giving participants explicit permission to explore how humor and joy can serve as powerful coping mechanisms alongside their grief. While grief can create chronic stress, depression, and physical illness – humor and joy offer a healthy counterbalance. They reduce stress hormones, lift our spirits, enhance recovery, and most importantly, connect us to one another during our most vulnerable times.

Head on over to this link to learn more.

Join us for an extraordinary celebration of Día de los Muertos at Historic Congressional Cemetery. In collaboration with special guest and Capitol Hill resident, Rosa Moreno, and Death Doula-in-Residence, Laura Lyster-Mensh, we will transform the chapel in the center of our grounds into a place of learning, remembrance, community gathering, and celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”

Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, Southeast Washington, DC 20003

In our culture, grief is expected to be somber and isolating – a solitary burden that keeps us disconnected from our full humanity. These cultural expectations often prevent true healing and trap people in prolonged suffering. This workshop, lead by DCDC member Mary Jo Neil, challenges these harmful norms by giving participants explicit permission to explore how humor and joy can serve as powerful coping mechanisms alongside their grief. While grief can create chronic stress, depression, and physical illness – humor and joy offer a healthy counterbalance. They reduce stress hormones, lift our spirits, enhance recovery, and most importantly, connect us to one another during our most vulnerable times.

Head on over to this link to learn more.

In our culture, grief is expected to be somber and isolating – a solitary burden that keeps us disconnected from our full humanity. These cultural expectations often prevent true healing and trap people in prolonged suffering. This workshop, lead by DCDC member Mary Jo Neil, challenges these harmful norms by giving participants explicit permission to explore how humor and joy can serve as powerful coping mechanisms alongside their grief. While grief can create chronic stress, depression, and physical illness – humor and joy offer a healthy counterbalance. They reduce stress hormones, lift our spirits, enhance recovery, and most importantly, connect us to one another during our most vulnerable times.

Head on over to this link to learn more.

In our culture, grief is expected to be somber and isolating – a solitary burden that keeps us disconnected from our full humanity. These cultural expectations often prevent true healing and trap people in prolonged suffering. This workshop, lead by DCDC member Mary Jo Neil, challenges these harmful norms by giving participants explicit permission to explore how humor and joy can serve as powerful coping mechanisms alongside their grief. While grief can create chronic stress, depression, and physical illness – humor and joy offer a healthy counterbalance. They reduce stress hormones, lift our spirits, enhance recovery, and most importantly, connect us to one another during our most vulnerable times.

Head on over to this link to learn more.

At the turn of the season, the fall equinox is a time for reflection and preparing for wintering, which mirrors this workshop offering. We will create a nurturing space to intentionally remember a loved one, at whatever season of grief you are honoring. Through gentle yoga, guided meditation, and reflective practices, we will explore ways to honor loved ones while fostering personal healing.

Participants will leave with tools to process grief, experience emotional release, and feel more grounded in the present moment.

Hosted by Mary Sullivan, a Washington Hospital Center Chaplain death doula. Mary creates meaningful ceremonies to honor The Resting and support The Living as their loved ones pass on. Mary is also a trained kundalini yoga teacher, reiki master, and birth doula.

RSVP here

📍Lūneh Yoga, 2000 S St NW Suite 100, Washington, DC

Zoom link, no RSVP necessary

A gentle, monthly drop-in. Come say hi. Bring your thoughts, questions, or just your face. Whether you’re knee-deep in this work or quietly circling it, this is a space to connect, reflect, and be in community.

Interested in building community around our shared mortality? Join us every other month for casual, thoughtful conversation about death, dying, grief—and ultimately, life. Guided by rotating readings, these gatherings are hosted by death doula Ali Brill and held in the cozy stacks of People’s Book.

People’s Book, 7014 Westmoreland Ave Suite A, Takoma Park, MD (RSVP to Ali)

Every first Sunday, starting July 6, 2025

Join hosts Mary Jo Neil, Chana Gelbard, Lolonyo Carter, and Pleasance Silicki at The Potter’s House, a long-standing and much-beloved Adams Morgan institution. No RSVP necessary ~ come one, come all

This Month’s Focus: “What Stories Will They Tell?”

Join us for a tender, honest conversation about legacy, memory, and the stories we leave behind. What do you hope they’ll say about you — and how are you shaping that truth right now? Come sip, share, and sit with the sacred.

Find the event link on zoom here.

Hosted by Lolonyo Carter of Ancestral Roots

Bluebird Sky Yoga is honored to host a gentle musical offering from the Threshold Singers of Washington, D.C. — part of the international Threshold Choir, whose volunteers sing at life’s tender thresholds.

This free afternoon event is a chance to pause and be held in song. Come for one song or the whole hour. You can listen, sing, or lie back and receive a “song bath,” where the energy of the singers is focused directly on you.

Mats, bolsters, and blankets will be available to make yourself comfortable. Afterward, you’re invited to stay for tea and informal community time.

The Threshold Singers offer their voices at no cost for those in times of transition—whether at the end of life or navigating a personal crossroads. Their music is spiritual but not religious, aiming simply to comfort, soothe, and connect.

To learn more about the Threshold Singers of DC or to support their work, email ThresholdSingersDC@gmail.com or visit thresholdchoir.org/DC

Bluebird Sky Yoga, 3101 12th St NE, Washington, DC