READ FIRST
Please listen with empathy and respect, being mindful of time, reciprocity, crosstalk, and/or assumptions. Create a safe space for sharing, listening, and subjective differences.
Be conscious of details and their importance. Topics can trigger. If this is a concern, decide as a group what constitutes too much information.
Emotions are an organic part of the game. Ask for emotional assistance if needed. Assist others only if asked.
Yes, no, short answers, and/or passing is allowed. You’re encouraged, but not required, to expand past yes or no answers. Assume prompts such as why, how, and/or share more accompany suitable questions. Boundaries and sincerity are both inspiring.
DEATH CONVERSATION GAME is meant to be fluid in meaning. Read the cards however you would like, and/or understand, them to be. Answers can be considered “in the moment,” and are not meant to be hard facts.
A small number of blank cards have been provided for creation of new Question Cards, if so desired and/or inspired.
GAME OPTION 1
SUGGESTED FOR GROUPS 2 -10
Sit in a circle. Pick a dealer. Place Action Cards face down. Deal 3 Question Cards to each player, place remaining Question Cards face down.
Player to dealer’s left draws an Action Card, reads it aloud, and follows instructions. Once player has answered chosen Question Card, pass this Question Card clockwise around the group. Allow all players space to respond (without interruption, while holding card).
When the Question Card has returned to original player, open the circle for additional sharing on anything that may have come up before moving on. Once conversation has closed, player discards Question Card, draws a new Question Card so as to always have 3 Question Cards in hand, and closes their turn.
Player to left draws Action Card to start their turn. A full game round has been had once each player has drawn an Action Card and started a conversation round. Decide as a group if you’d like to stop or continue for another game round (or 2, or 3). If a player wishes to join, and/or leave, do so here - try not to swap players in, or out, mid-round.
If you have chosen another round, take a deep breath, and repeat!
GAME OPTION 2
SUGGESTED FOR LARGER GROUPS
Pick a facilitator. Discard Action Cards. Place Question Cards face down.
Facilitator reads top Question Card. Decide as group if Question Card read is inspiring to all for conversation. If Question Card is inspiring go to next step, if not, keep turning Question Cards over until group agrees that Question Card shown is inspiring.
Facilitator passes chosen Question Card to player left, this player then answers first. Active Question Card is passed left until each player has the chance to respond.
DISCLAIMER
DEATH CONVERSATION GAME was created to assist in conversations related to death in any manner you see fit as a facilitator, and/or participant. The information provided, and conversations to be had, are not in any way legally binding.
DEATH CONVERSATION GAME does not offer a conceptual “right way” to go about conversations regarding death. If you find any suggested instruction, and/or question, to be improper: discard it, recycle it, and/or create a replacement card — as you see fit!