Events

Come for the conversation.
Stay for the connection.

Mortal Musings events take place at venues throughout the region — on weekdays, evenings, and weekends, so there's a better chance one works for you. All events are free. We also plan to record events and make them available online for those who can't attend in person.

Didn't see something that fits your schedule? Sign up for announcements and we'll let you know when the next one is coming.

Event types

Clinton Death Cafe

Open conversation. No agenda. Coffee, tea, and usually something baked. Exactly what it sounds like, and better than you'd expect.

Guest Speaker

A structured conversation with someone who works at death's doorstep — medically, legally, practically, or philosophically. Q&A always included.

Site Visit

Funeral home. Cemetery. Hospice. Places most of us avoid until we can't. Visiting ahead of time changes how they feel — and how we feel about them.

“Talking about death won't kill you—but it might just change how you live.”

We're currently 34% of the way to fully funded. Help us close the gap by donating to our GoFundMe page.

Support Our Mission

Upcoming gatherings

Every Bite, Every Breath: Understanding Your Options for Serious Illness and Advanced Care — Mortal Musings presents a judgment-free session on feeding and breathing decisions on the NY MOLST form, with Danielle Furlong, SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, and Eric McKinstry, RT, Respiratory Therapist. Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 6:30–8:00 pm at Wynn Hospital Auditorium, 111 Hospital Drive, Utica, NY.

More gatherings coming soon — stay tuned.

Past events

A look back at some of our recent gatherings.

Clinton Death Cafe flyer — Monday, July 27, 2026, 6:00–7:30 pm at Rome Family YMCA, 301 W. Bloomfield St., Rome, NY. In collaboration with Hospice & Palliative Care. Free, donations accepted.Paws for Thought flyer — A conversation with Dawn Hayman, Animal Communicator. Thursday, August 20, 2026, 6:00–7:30 pm at Spring Farm Cares, 3364 State Rt. 12, Clinton, NY. Free event, RSVP required.Understanding Palliative Care: In the Hospital, In the Community — presented by Arianna Giruzzi-Lupo, NP, Wynn Hospital Palliative Care Team, and Tina Yelle, RN, Hospice & Palliative Care Team. Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:30–8:00 pm at Wynn Hospital Auditorium.Clinton Death Cafe flyer — Sunday, October 18, 2026, 10:00–11:00 am at Unitarian Church of Barneveld, 100 Park Ave., Barneveld, NY. Coffee, tea, cake, and compelling conversation. Free.Mortal Musings presents Medical Aid in Dying: What does this new law mean for New Yorkers? — Presented by Patricia Gaynor, ANP. Saturday, October 24, 2026, 11:30 am–1:00 pm at Dunham Public Library, 76 Main St., Whitesboro, NY.

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