In a context where death is often an avoided subject, the Maison des Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société de Toulouse (MSHS-T), in partnership with the Pôle Funéraire Toulouse Métropole, is organizing a series of three « Cafés Mortels ». These meetings aim to create an open and convivial discussion space to better understand the representations, expectations, and practices associated with death and mourning, while exploring new ways of living and accompanying final moments.
Inspired by Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, the « cafés mortels » concept originated in Switzerland in the early 2000s. The objective is neither therapeutic nor religious, but social: to reintroduce death into daily conversation, demystify the subject, and break the isolation of those facing grief. This project is part of the CODE.MO Le Commun des Mortels program, funded by the MSHS-T's 2025 exploratory project call (APEX).
The first café, titled « Caring for the Deceased », will take place on Thursday, October 1st, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Pôle Funéraire Toulouse Sud (12, Avenue de Gameville, Toulouse). It will feature a mini-conference on presenting the deceased and a round table on the meaning of caring for a deceased person, with contributions from Céline Caumon, Jérémie Elalouf, Mathieu Touzeil-Divina, and Axelle Dunet, head of the Pôle Funéraire Toulouse Métropole.
The second event, « Behind the Scenes of Funeral Services », is scheduled for Thursday, October 15th, 2026, at the same times. It will explore the invisible journey from death to funeral rites. Finally, the third café, « Personalizing Farewells », will be held on Thursday, November 12th, 2026, discussing the design of farewells and the extent of personalization.
These meetings are free and open to anyone interested, requiring online registration subject to availability. They are the result of a partnership between the Pôle Funéraire Toulouse Métropole, the LARA-SEPPIA laboratory and the Pi-CDM platform of the Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès, as well as the Science and Society Commission of MSHS-T.
