Local Organization's 'Death Cafes' Encourage Dialogue About Death And Dying

By Jill Ditmire

Published May 6, 2020 at 12:00 AM EDT

Charlotte Lemieux is cofounder of Indiana Pagan Community Outreach and Dialogue.

The number of people who have died from COVID-19 is staggering, and restrictions on funerals make dealing with grief, and any death in this time, more difficult.

A local organization that has offered programs on death and dying for years, called "Death Cafés," aims to help by moving the conversation to a virtual meeting this Friday, May 8.

Charlotte Lemieux is cofounder of IPCOD, Indiana Pagan Community Outreach and Dialogue, which hosts the Death Cafés. WFYI’s Jill Ditmire spoke by phone with Lemieux about the program that began, in London, a decade ago.

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Jill Ditmire

Jill Ditmire was no stranger to the broadcast world. Her face and voice were a daily part of the lives of viewers and listeners in the Midwest for 25 years. She was the local news anchor during "All Things Considered" and a contributor to "Morning Edition," "Sound Medicine," "Art of the Matter “Curious Mix” and "Wednesday Live at 5:44." Jill's broadcast experience included anchoring and reporting news at television stations in Indianapolis, Detroit and Lafayette, including WTTV, WRTV, WLFI, WJBK, WTHR, WISH and the Ford Motor Company News Network. She produced her own television series on Indiana Public Television for eight years called “The Good Life” which showcased independent chefs, restaurants and local wineries.

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