Stories, Soil, & Shared Table
A Community-Centered Season of Deathcare, Events, and Giving Back
Hi Friends!
If you’ve been following along, you might know that I recently co-founded the Michigan Deathcare Collaborative with Michael Marie Schofield and Grey Allen. We’re a new nonprofit dedicated to centralizing and re-villaging alternative deathcare in Michigan, while advocating for accessible, community-centered education around death and dying. It’s been a full season of planning- we’re working hard on summer events, educational gatherings, and finalizing our 501(c)(3) status so we can continue building this essential movement with structure and support!
Meanwhile, my beloved community offerings like Ypsilanti Death Cafe and Last Chapter Collective are still going strong. Death Cafe meets at Bloodroot Herb Shop on the first Wednesday (5–7pm) and third Saturday (11:30am–1:30pm) of each month. Last Chapter Collective, our death-themed book club, gathers on the last Saturday of each month from 2–3:30pm at Vertex Coffee Roasters in Ypsilanti. You can find our current reading list here. I’d love to see you and invite you to join at any of these conversations!
Upcoming Meetings:
Last Chapter Collective - This Saturday!
Date & Time: Saturday, May 31st from 2-3:30pm
Book: All the Living & the Dead - People Who’ve Made Death Their Lives’ Work By Hayley Campbell
Location: Vertex Coffee Roasters at 307 N. River St., Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti Death Cafe
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 4th from 5-7pm AND Saturday, June 21st from 11:30-1:30pm
Location: Bloodroot Herb Shop & Apothecary
208 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
Woodlawn Cemetery Restoration Project
In 1946, Pastor Garther Roberson Sr. purchased a plot of land in Ypsilanti to provide a final resting place for Black community members during a time when racism and discrimination left few options. This land became Woodlawn Cemetery, the only documented Black cemetery in Washtenaw County.
Today, Woodlawn Cemetery stands as a testament to the lives of over 150 African Americans who were instrumental in shaping the history of Ypsilanti and the surrounding region. Unfortunately, historic burial records were lost in a fire during the 1950s and 60s. Through tireless research - using death certificates, historic newspapers, and community records, 61 individuals have been identified so far.
Over time, the cemetery has suffered from environmental damage and neglect. The Woodlawn Cemetery Restoration Project is committed to preserving this sacred space and honoring those buried there with the dignity they deserve.
Volunteer Opportunity
Join me in this meaningful work on June 19th, from 12–3 PM. I will be there to clean, restore, and learn about the powerful history of this site. The restoration team will be there June 7th and June 19th from 10am-3pm, if another time works better for you - I encourage you to fill out this form to get in touch!
If you'd like to volunteer or learn more, please email: mideathcare@gmail.com
All community members are welcome to participate and help preserve this vital piece of our shared Ypsilanti history.
Save The Date - Community Potluck
Join us for an afternoon of shared food, stories, and community! Whether you’ve attended a Death Cafe, Last Chapter Collective, work in deathcare, or simply community-minded and curious - you’re welcome here!
Bring a dish that feels special to you (feel free to bring the recipe and story behind it!). We will provide drinks!
Date & Time: Sunday, June 29th at 1pm
Location: Riverside Park
2 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti
We could use extra hands for this event so if you’d like to help - sign up here!
A Gentle Reminder
Our gatherings are a space of inclusion, respect, and community - welcoming people of all ethnicities, genders, and religions. We ask that everyone approach these conversations with kindness and care.
As part of fostering a supportive environment, we invite participants to share their names and pronouns. This isn’t just a formality - it’s a meaningful practice that honors each person’s identity.
Please be thoughtful with your words and actions. We are here to hold space for one another with love, respect, and compassion.
Warmly,
Hanna Hasselschwert
Contact for Support
Email: Hanna@AcaciaEndOfLife.com
Phone: 734-544-5177