The Story Behind Last Chapter Collective
& Other Updates!
Last Chapter Collective : A Book Club
Death is a topic many shy away from, yet it touches every one of us. Engaging with it through conversation, reflection, and storytelling can make it feel less daunting. Books, in particular, have a way of guiding us through complex emotions, offering perspectives that challenge, comfort, and inspire.
I wanted to create a book club that could do just that - offer a space where people could explore death and dying through literature, without fear or hesitation. Much like the Ypsilanti Death Cafe, where open conversations about death happen in a welcoming environment, I wanted to create more spaces where these discussions could unfold in meaningful ways.
With this in mind, I co-founded the Last Chapter Collective with Sher Ganz, a fellow passionate advocate for deathcare. A graduate of the Going With Grace End of Life Doula program and trained in advance care planning through Respecting Choices, Sher is deeply committed to fostering open, honest conversations about death. Since 2021, she has been a dedicated regular at the Ypsilanti Death Cafe, always bringing thoughtful book recommendations that sparked important discussions. I saw how naturally she created space for these conversations and wanted to support her in leading a group where literature could serve as the starting point for deeper dialogue.
Sher does the essential work of curating the book list, crafting discussion questions, and leading conversations that make each meeting meaningful. Her passion and dedication are at the heart of the collective’s success. My role is less hands-on, focusing on managing and marketing the Last Chapter Collective to ensure more people can find their way to these important discussions.
Together, we continue to build a space for meaningful dialogue around death - one page at a time.
The Last Chapter Collective meets on the final Saturday of each month from 2:00 to 3:30pm at Vertex Coffee Roasters - 307 N. River St., Ypsilanti
It’s More Than a Book Club…
Last Chapter Collective isn’t just about reading, it’s about connection. It’s about creating a space where people can share their thoughts and fears without judgment. Where we can talk about what a “good death” means, how grief shapes us, and what stories we want to leave behind.
If you've ever wanted to engage with death in a way that feels meaningful, thought-provoking, and even comforting, we invite you to join us.
Want to be part of the conversation? Visit us at Last Chapter Collective and join our next discussion!
We Have Merch for Purchase!
Last Chapter Collective Merchandise can be purchased here!
‘Ypsilanti - Where We Talk Honestly About Death’ Merchandise can be purchased directly from Hanna. Email Hanna at Hanna@AcaciaEndOfLife.Com to place your order today!
Shirt - $25
Tote - $20
Our March Event Calendar
Ypsilanti Death Cafe
Date & Time : Saturday, March 15th from 11:30am-1:30pm
Location : Bloodroot Herb Shop
208 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
Art & Afterlife - Facebook event and full details - here!
Date & Time : Friday, March 21st from 5:00-8:45pm
Location : Ypsilanti Freighthouse
100 Market Pl., Ypsilanti
Last Chapter Collective
Date & Time : Saturday, March 29th from 2:00-3:30pm
Location : Vertex Coffee Roasters
307 N. River St., Ypsilanti
Local Death Cafes
Queer Death Cafe
Date & Time : Saturday, March 1st from 11:00am-12:30pm
Location : Jim Toy Community Center
560 S. Main St., Ann Arbor
Monroe Death Cafe
Date & Time : Wednesday, March 12th from 6-8pm
Location : Green Witch Gardens
8930 S. Custer Rd., Monroe
Ann Arbor Death Cafe
Date & Time : Saturday, March 15th from 11am-1pm
Location : Crazy Wisdom Bookstore
114 S. Main St., Ann Arbor
Great Lakes Bay Death Cafe
Date & Time : Sunday, March 23rd at 3:00pm
Location : LoLoBee’s Lounge
106 S. Linn St. Unit A, Bay City
Final Notes // Stay in Touch
If you’ve been following along, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve recently co-founded a nonprofit, Michigan Deathcare Collaborative, with Michael Marie Schofield of Hickory Nut Farmstead. We’ve also welcomed Grey Allen, host of Queer Death Cafe, to our team to lend their expertise as we navigate the nonprofit world.
Our directory is a growing network of Michigan-based businesses and professionals committed to compassionate, community-centered deathcare. We aim to include a variety of services, such as end-of-life doulas, animal end-of-life doulas, massage therapists, herbalists, funeral homes, florists, and more. If your work aligns with this, we invite you to join our directory, you’ll help connect individuals with compassionate professionals and support the movement for better deathcare in Michigan. You can submit your information via Google Forms or directly on our website.
In the coming months, we will begin building our Board of Directors and committees. If you’re interested in contributing, we’d love for you to fill out our form and share your experience. If you’ve already connected with us, please complete the form so we can keep your information in one place. If you’ve already filled out this form, you’re on our radar.
We’re also excited to share our community calendar, where we invite folks to submit events related to death, dying, grief, and everything in between. This is a great way to promote and connect with others in the community.
Lastly, we’re planning to add a second day and time for Ypsilanti Death Cafe. Starting in April, we will also meet on the first Wednesday of the month from 5-7 PM at Bloodroot Herb Shop.
Warmly,
Hanna Hasselschwert
Contact for Support
Email: Hanna@AcaciaEndOfLife.com
Phone: 734-544-5177