Cincy Death Club hosts monthly death cafes in Newport
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Death isn't normally coffee shop small talk, but a monthly gathering at Roebling Books & Coffee in Newport is making the inevitable less intimidating.
Why it matters: Now celebrating its first anniversary, Cincy Death Club is breaking the taboo around mortality with death cafes: cozy conversations about life, death and everything in between.
The intrigue: Founder Jamie Black launched the gatherings in October 2025 after leaving her job at Spring Grove Cemetery, where she worked in sales and pre-planning and spent eight years designing monuments.
- Black had also recently lost both parents and a close friend, but still craved community and conversation around death and dying.
Zoom out: Cincinnati isn't alone in getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.
- Death cafes are part of a broader movement encouraging open conversations about mortality, with similar gatherings in Kansas City.
What they're saying: "I feel that tackling those topics grants us a greater appreciation of life," Black tells Axios.
The vibe: Think dim lighting, warm drinks and a circle of strangers discussing life's biggest certainty.
- "It's very cozy," co-host Kri Van Sloun tells Axios.
- Some meetings begin with a suggested topic, while others unfold organically.
Zoom in: Attendees come from all walks of life, including people navigating loss, theology students, hospice and death care professionals, and the simply curious.
- Black says the goal is to provide a private, nonjudgmental space where everyone feels welcome.
- The only guiding etiquette is to give everyone a chance to speak, with Black and Van Sloun moderating when needed.
The bottom line: You don't have to wait until the end to talk about the end.
If you go: Find upcoming death cafe dates on Roebling Books & Coffee's website or follow @cincydeathclub on Instagram.