FRIDAY 8 May and SATURDAY 9 May
7:45–9:05pm
Matinee Saturday 2:00–3:20
Departure
A music and dance performance by movement artist Masumi Saito and composer/musician An-Ting that explores the themes of death, ritual, and the spirit. Through the intertwining of movement and live music, the performance creates an emotionally resonant experience – breaking the silence around death. Why do cultures across the world uphold long-standing funeral traditions? What can these rituals teach us about both death and life?
In Departure, Masumi Saito and An-Ting reimagine a funeral ceremony inspired by their East Asian heritages as a performance and invite the audience to join in a contemplative space.
Each performance is followed by a Post Show Discussion on death and ritual. Inspired by the ethos of Death Cafe, this conversation offers space for audiences and artists to share experiences, stories, and perspectives, exploring how traditions and collective rituals can shape the way we grieve.
Venue: Studio, York Theatre Royal
Tickets available at York Theatre Royal
MONDAY 11 to SUNDAY 17 May
9:00–5:00
Victorian Lives: Churchyard History Trail
St Stephen’s Churchyard will host a week-long, self-guided trail bringing key Victorian graves gently to life. Thoughtfully designed cardboard cut-out illustrations and short, engaging biographies will introduce the people behind the headstones: a meticulous jeweller, a beloved bookseller, a seasoned navy captain, and other everyday Victorians whose stories illuminate how communities remember, grieve, and carry on. While the event will be available for you to explore in your own time, St Stephen’s Church will be also open at key points throughout the week [TBC]. The event will be suitable for all ages and will focus primarily on the upper, old part of the churchyard to allow step-free routes. When the church is open, you may wish to light a candle inside the church or leave a note of remembrance.
Venue: St Stephen's Churchyard, Acomb YO26 5LR
Free. No steps but there is a long path from York Road lychgate
MONDAY 11 May
10:00–11:30 and 2:00–3:30
Hand Blessings Workshop
This event is also offered on Thursday, 14 May. Join Francesca King for this unique workshop with clay as meditation and grounding time Clay Soul Space is where it all happens. With Feet in Clay meditation and Hand Blessings workshops are fantastic for families and friends to make time for creativity. 💠💙If you have any textures of jewellery plants or anything you would like to impress into the clay please bring these with you.Water and tea are provided.This is a unique workshop located in Francesca's studio so places are limited to 4 people per session at £36 eachAll materials are provided.
Venue: Francesca King Ceramics, 144 Albemarle road York YO23 1HB
To book, please phone 07533475929 or email greenfrancesca@hotmail.com
£36 per person for one hand in clay fired twice and returned to client. Postage and packing is extra on request.
Not accessible.
MONDAY 11 MAY, THURSDAY 14 MAY, SUNDAY 17 MAY
11:00–noon
A Working Pet Crematorium
A behind the scenes look at the whole pet crematorium, including a talk on the history of pet cremation, looking at the cremation room process, followed by open question & answers.Book via text 07925218372or email millcottagepetcrematorium@gmail.com
Venue: Mill Cottage Pet Crematorium, Windmill Ln, York YO10 3LG
Free. All ground floor, ground floor toilet available, normal door width access , lots of spacious parking available.
TUESDAY 12 May
2:00–4:00
Glimpses into the Beyond
What can research into the near-death experience tell us about the process of dying, and life beyond death? Martin Nathanael will share his own experience and link it to current research, as well as explore what the world's wisdom teachings can contribute.
Venue: TBC
WEDNESDAY 13 May
10:15–11:15
The Role of the End-of-Life Doula
York End-of-Life Doulas will share how they work with individuals and the community and offer a Q&A panel.
Venue: York Explore Marriott Room, Museum St, York, YO1 7DS
Free. Accessible.
THURSDAY 14 May
2:00–3:30
Hand Blessings Workshop
This event is also offered on Monday, 11 May. Join Francesca King for this unique workshop with clay as meditation and grounding time Clay Soul Space is where it all happens. With Feet in Clay meditation and Hand Blessings workshops are fantastic for families and friends to make time for creativity. 💠💙If you have any textures of jewellery plants or anything you would like to impress into the clay please bring these with you.Water and tea are provided.This is a unique workshop located in Francesca's studio so places are limited to 4 people per session at £36 eachAll materials are provided.
Venue: Francesca King Ceramics, 144 Albemarle road York YO23 1HB
To book, please phone 07533475929 or email greenfrancesca@hotmail.com
£36 per person for one hand in clay fired twice and returned to client. Postage and packing is extra on request.
Not accessible.
FRIDAY 15 May
11:00–1:00
Roller-Coaster Ride
Using the Therapist Aid's Roller Coaster model (with written permission), as a visual metaphor to explore the bumpy and messy grieving process, using words and pictures to gently challenge rigidly defined stages of grief and to encourage patience, kindness and self care on a journey that can neither be rushed or controlled.
Venue: St Leonard's Hospice, The Sunflower Centre, 185 Tadcaster Road, York, YO24 1GL
Free. Accessible.
1:00–4:30
Sound Bath
A gentle seated listening experience that creates peace and calm using a variety of instruments such as crystal bowls, chimes and strings.
Venue: St Leonard's Hospice, The Sunflower Centre, 185 Tadcaster Road, York, YO24 1GL
Free. Accessible.
1:00–5:00
St Leonard's Hospice open afternoon
St Leonard's hospice will be holding an open afternoon and hosting a number of creative workshops. There will be opportunity to talk to hospice staff and volunteers and to find out more about what the hospice is doing to ensure everyone in our community is supported to live and die well. We hope to be able to offer hospice tours, but this will depend on the needs of those we are caring for on the day. If you are looking for support from the hospice, we also hold a weekly drop in on Thursday mornings, 10am -12:30.
Venue: St Leonard's Hospice, The Sunflower Centre, 185 Tadcaster Road, York, YO24 1GL
This event is on the ground floor or St Leonard's hospice. Blue badge parking on site. Level access throughout, with automatic doors on all entrances. Multiple, accessible toilet facilities available (no RADAR key required). All toilets are gender neutral. We expect this event to be busy and potentially loud. If you are considering your end of life options and would like a tour on a quieter day, please get in touch via wellbeing@stleonardshospice.org.uk or 01904 708553.
7:30–9:00pm
Consciousness post death
David and Linda Fryer hope to be able to give a reasoned description of the phases we may encounter, after our physical deaths, and it's relevance to our lives. Hopefully, this will stimulate meaningful conversation.
Venue: Around a bonfire at Menagerie Glade, Escrick Park Estate, YO19 6EH
Free. Donations accepted for Menagerie Glade. May be a bit muddy.
SATURDAY 16 May
9:00–12:00
Dead Good Information Fair
The following people and organizations will be on hand for informal conversations and Q and A:
• York End of Life Doulas. End of life doulas are trained, non-medical companions who provide support to people approaching the end of life and those around them. Working alongside — but outside of — healthcare services, we complement medical care by focusing on emotional, practical, and spiritual needs. Our independence allows us to be flexible, community-based, and responsive, helping individuals and families maintain wellbeing, identity, and dignity throughout the end of life journey.
• St Leonard’s Hospice. The hospice provides care and support for terminally ill people, and people with life limiting illnesses. But that’s only the beginning. Come along and find out more about the many resources we provide.
• Sabine Horner, Grief Nutritionist. Find out more about how how food can be a powerful ally in your grief journey.
• Ageing Without Children. Sue Lister will be on hand to answer questions about planning and preparing for later life, different models of living and housing, the changing social structure of our ageing population and what that means for individuals.
• Sandi Poston, celebrant. An opportunity to meet with a celebrant to discuss how to mark the end of a loved one's life: there are many ways and choices to create unique ceremonies brimming with love. I am here to support you and help create a memorable and fitting occasion especially for you and your friends and family to remember.
• York Bereavement Alliance. Find out about the many resources available in York for dealing with grief.
• Francesca King Ceramics. With Feet in Clay meditation and Hand Blessings workshops are fantastic for families and friends to make time for creativity. Find out more here!
• And more!
Venue: York Explore Marriott Room, Museum St, York, YO1 7DS
Free. Accessible.
12:00–12:45
Why do we fear death?
Join Stef bricklebank, Bereavement Practitioner and Trainer for an interactive and reflective workshop to engage in group discussions and pair work around death and dying. Together, we will explore cultural perspectives, death anxiety and the fears often linked with these conversations. Personal stories are NOT required, this is a supportive space to listen, reflect and share ideas.
Venue: York Explore Marriott Room, Museum St, York, YO1 7DS
Free. Accessible.
1:00–1:45
Don’t want a traditional funeral?
Chris Dudzinska of Last Wishes Funerals, York, will talk about simple but effective ways to make funerals much more personal.
Venue: York Explore Marriott Room, Museum St, York, YO1 7DS
Free. Accessible.
2:00–3:30
York Death Café
A Death Café is an open conversation about death, with no agenda. It's a comfortable space to discuss something that unites us all but is too often ignored. Everyone 18 or older is welcome. A Death Café not a counselling session or bereavement support group – it's just a conversation.
Please book by phone 07999 880 163 or email yorkdeathcafe@gmail.com
Venue: York Explore Marriott Room, Museum St, York, YO1 7DS
Free. Accessible.
3:45–5:00
Food for Thought and Healing: The Gut-Grief Connection
Discover how grief impacts your gut and digestion—and how simple food and routine changes can support your body and mind through loss, by Sabine Horner.
Please book on Eventbrite.
Venue: York Explore Marriott Room, Museum St, York, YO1 7DS
Free. Accessible.
SUNDAY 17 May
10:00–11:00
The Swan Song Project
The Swan Song Project is a charity giving people facing end of life and bereavement the opportunity to write and record their own original song. Hear samples of recent songs written to celebrate lives and make memories, as well as live music from one of The Swan Song Project's songwriters Holly Taymar.
Venue: The Pritchett Chapel, York Cemetery, Cemetery Road YO10 5AJ
Free. Accessible.
11:00–12:30
Drumming Circle
One of two sessions offered today, celebrating rituals of the journey from conception to death through drumming and guided meditation with Elaine the humble drummer and Ayşë, End of Life Doula and Therapist.
£15. Please book on Eventbrite [LINK TO COME]
Venue: The Ray's, 2 Scarcroft Lane York, YO23 1AD
11:00–4:00
Love, Loss and the Afterlife
Love, Loss and the Afterlife is an event dedicated to helping people explore grief, connection, and meaning with compassion and curiosity. It brings together science, storytelling, and community for reflection, remembrance, and hope. Our event invites people to talk about experiences, ask big questions, and feel supported as they navigate life after loss.
Come and meet the people who help us navigate life after the loss of a loved one.
The Celebrant - brings your loved one’s story to life, creating a ceremony that feels personal, supportive, and true to who they were.
The Stone Mason - A stonemason doesn’t just make headstones — they get to know the person being remembered. They listen, learn what mattered most, and craft a memorial that feels personal, meaningful, and built to last.
The Medium - offers more than messages — they bring comfort. By helping you feel connected to the love that’s still there, they can make grief a little lighter and peace a little closer.
The Afterlife Expert - using research, observation, and technology to explore what may continue beyond physical life, proving that our loved ones stay with with us.
Venue:Mindful Memorials, 49 Cemetery Road, York YO10 5AJ
11:15–11:45
Heavenly harp music by Emma Yates.
Venue: The Pritchett Chapel, York Cemetery, Cemetery Road YO10 5AJ
Free. Accessible.
12:00–12:45
Sound Bath with Sounds of Divinity
An immersive sound experience using live instruments such as crystal bowls, chimes and percussion to create soundscapes and harmonies designed to gently support and soothe listeners. Considerations: not recommended for the first trimester pregnancy, unmanaged conditions such as epilepsy, complex trauma and PTSD. This is a seated sound bath concert held in a gentle, open format, you are welcome to come and go quietly and listen for as long or as little as you wish.
Venue: The Pritchett Chapel, York Cemetery, Cemetery Road YO10 5AJ
Free. Accessible.
1:00–1:45
Scarborough Threshold Soft Singers
This session is an opportunity to rest: to sit or lie down; to listen or hum or sing along with simple lullabies. Threshold singing is not a performance, it is typically two to four singers at bedside when someone is receiving care or in palliative care. Today the simple lullabies will be non-religious and restorative, offering you the opportunity to rest and be refreshed.
Venue: The Pritchett Chapel, York Cemetery, Cemetery Road YO10 5AJ
Free. Accessible.
2:00–3:30
Drumming Circle
The second of two sessions offered today, celebrating rituals of the journey from conception to death through drumming and guided meditation with Elaine the humble drummer and Ayşë, End of Life Doula and Therapist.
£15. Please book on Eventbrite [LINK TO COME]
Venue: The Ray's, 2 Scarcroft Lane York, YO23 1AD
2:00–3:00
Poetry in the Cemetery
Taking a walk in the cemetery with poetry readings by Clive Dawson but please bring your own special poem to read.
Venue: York Cemetery, Cemetery Road YO10 5AJ
3:15–4:30
Songs of Love and Death
Acoustic folk trio Steam Pigeon bring early 20th Century American music to the York Cemetery Chapel, showcasing tunes that explore the universal themes of love, loss and death that run through so much popular music. The gig is free, but please book on Eventbrite as space is limited. We will be accepting donations for End of Life Doula UK.
Please book on Eventbrite.
Venue: The Pritchett Chapel, York Cemetery, Cemetery Road YO10 5AJ
Free. Accessible.
TIME TBC
The Dead Sleuth – Ancestral Inheritance and Healing
Light and Lineage. Understanding Ancestral Inheritance and Healing Through Ancestral Connection. Exploring the Ideas of 'Ancestral Baggage' and Historical Family Trauma. Celebrating the Connection with Our Ancestors as Souls in Spirit. The Path to Healing by Mediation and Ritual.
Price TBC.
Venue: TBC