Talking About Death

Congressional Cemetery is committed to offering activities and resources that promote a healthy attitude about mortality. Throughout the year we invite speakers, gather for conversations, offer documentary screenings, and do activities about dying and death. It is our goal to promote a spirit of curiosity and courage and often a sense of humor about this important topic.

We even have a “Death Doula In Residence” to help facilitate these activities. Laura Lyster-Mensh is a passionate volunteer for Congressional Cemetery who led our 2023 series called Death Doula Days.

We will now offer a new service we call The Transition Tea Room. This resource library and meeting space in the cemetery gatehouse will allow the public to come meet our Death Doula In Residence to talk about mortality, advance care planning, legacy projects, and end-of-life decisions. On the menu are activities like writing your own obituary, learning about the dying process, and even playing card games about death with other visitors.

Laura coordinates our now monthly Death Cafes held in the chapel on 1st Thursdays of the month. See the calendar for details and feel free to contact her with any questions.