In the heart of Ybor City, a place steeped in history and haunted by stories untold, a unique gathering returns—not to mourn, but to awaken. The Death Café, hosted by Full Spectrum Death Doula Rebecca “Betty” Genesis, arrives once again on Saturday, June 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the eerily inviting SpookEasy Lounge (1909 N 15th St). This is not your ordinary café, and certainly not your typical community event. The focus keyword, Death Café, is more than just a name—it’s an invitation to confront the unknown with curiosity, not fear.
There are no PowerPoint presentations. No pamphlets. Just hot tea, honest conversation, and the hush of shared vulnerability.
Death Has Never Been This Alive
“Death Café” might sound like the premise of a Stephen King novel—the kind that starts with laughter over a cup of chamomile and ends with someone whispering secrets they never dared speak aloud. But in truth, it’s something even rarer: a judgment-free space to talk about what we often avoid—the inevitable.
Rebecca Genesis is no stranger to this liminal space between life and death. As a Full Spectrum Doula, she guides individuals and families through birth, death, and everything in between. Through her private practice, Genesis has become a beacon for those navigating grief and mortality in deeply personal ways. Her mission? Normalize conversations around death, and by doing so, enrich the experience of life.
“I believe talking about death helps people better understand life,” Genesis says, her voice calm and sure. “Death Café creates space for people to reflect, share, and simply listen.”
Where Mortality Meets Mindfulness
In this city of cigars and ghosts, of laughter echoing through brick-lined alleys, the Death Café in Ybor City dares to strip away the taboo. It’s a setting both surreal and serene—where the scent of incense mingles with whispers, and the line between past and present feels thin enough to touch.
Attendees range from the deeply contemplative to the casually curious. Some speak. Some simply listen. All are welcome. This is not therapy, and there are no facilitators offering clinical guidance. Instead, it’s an open dialogue, a place to wrestle with existential questions, or to just sit and sip tea while others share stories that cut to the bone—and sometimes, stitch it back together.
The Death Café doesn’t promise closure. It offers something more elusive: connection, presence, and a strange kind of peace.
The Power of Presence and Purpose
In a culture addicted to distractions, the Death Café brings people back to the moment. You’ll find no smartphones buzzing at this table. No hashtags. Just eyes meeting across mismatched mugs and souls stretching toward truth.
And that’s the beauty of this event—it isn’t about death as an end, but death as a lens through which to see our lives more clearly. In a society that often equates silence with respect, this gathering dares to speak—boldly, kindly, and above all, truthfully.
“These conversations,” Genesis notes, “can open the door to a deeper sense of purpose and presence.”
SpookEasy Lounge: The Perfect Setting for the Profound
SpookEasy Lounge isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. Housed in a historic Ybor building, it’s a place where time seems paused, where vintage charm, mysticism, and community blend like the finest tea. Dim lighting casts long shadows across bookshelves and velvet chairs. Candles flicker like whispered secrets. It’s a haven for deep dialogue.
Located at 1909 N 15th St, this lounge is more than a venue—it’s a living, breathing extension of the Death Café’s mission. To learn more about this venue, visit the official SpookEasy Lounge website or follow them on Instagram for a peek behind the veil.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone. From the spiritually inclined to the skeptically curious. Whether you’re wrestling with grief, preparing for the unknown, or simply wondering what it all means, you belong here.
There’s no RSVP required. The event is free and open to the public. The only requirement? Bring your open mind, your questions, and maybe a story or two.
For event updates, follow the Death Café on their official Facebook event page.
Life Begins Where the Conversation Ends
As the tea cools and the clock ticks toward three, there’s often a reluctance to leave. Eyes linger. Conversations trail off, only to be picked up at the door. No one walks out quite the same.
Because when we speak of death, what we’re really talking about is life—its sweetness, its mystery, its fragile brilliance.
Maybe the real fear isn’t dying. Maybe it’s never truly having lived.
The Death Café: A Gentle Haunting You’ll Never Forget
So if you’re in Ybor City this summer and feel that peculiar tug at your spirit, follow it. It might just lead you to the Death Café, where strangers become kindred souls, and silence gives way to the most profound conversations you’ll ever have over tea.
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