IN MEMORY OF — EVENT SERIES
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The Cranston Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Cranston Historical Cemetery Commission, presents In Memory Of: What We Create From What We’ve Lost, a month-long gallery exhibition + event series (9/29-10/27) exploring art, memory, grief, and what we create in response to loss.
Join us for several events this October!
Join us for several events this October!
DEATH CAFÉ
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In May 2023, I introduced Death Cafés to my communithy to create a welcoming space for open, honest conversations about death, grief, and what it means to live well.
Since then, I have facilitated more than 50 sold-out public and private Death Cafés, bringing together hundreds of people to explore mortality with curiosity, compassion, and connection. Death is universal but how different communities + cultures deal with it is unique. Join us for a rare conversation. Death Café — a doorway into shared exploration. WHAT IS A DEATH CAFÉ? It’s a guided group discussion forum where people come together to talk openly + candidly about the meaning of life, mortality, death, dying, + related topics. Have you wanted to talk about it but thought it was too weird? Or had an experience you’d like to share? Even just curious? The aim of a Death Café is not to provide grief counseling or to promote any particular religious or spiritual beliefs, but rather to encourage honest conversations with the goal of promoting greater awareness + acceptance of death as a natural part of life. It’s an inclusive, safe, confidential + non-judgmental space where people can share their thoughts, experiences, + questions about death in a respectful + supportive environment. |
A place for exchanges + deep listening as well as a space where you can be brave. There’s no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action. Death Café serves our community as a doorway into the shared exploration of our love of life + respect for death.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Death Café is free + open to anyone who wants to talk about death. All are welcome from hospice workers, doulas, the terminally ill, elderly, those experiencing a loss to the death-curious however, this program is recommended for anyone 13 years or older. Ages 16 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone has their own reasons for getting involved in a Death Café + talking about death won’t kill us! Public Death Cafés — take place monthly in person in Providence, Rhode Island. These events are sponsored by the City of Providence + Community Libraries Private Death Cafés — and custom gatherings are available by inquiry. |
IMMERSION EXPERIENCE
THE EDGE OF BEING
Friday, March 28, 2025 — SOLD OUT
Friday, June 13, 2025 — SOLD OUT
Friday, September 19, 2025 — SOLD OUT
Private Immersions + custom gatherings are available by inquiry.
Friday, June 13, 2025 — SOLD OUT
Friday, September 19, 2025 — SOLD OUT
Private Immersions + custom gatherings are available by inquiry.
Y O U ' R E I N V I T E D
to witness your own funeral.
In honor of the the solstice, step into a sacred space between endings and beginnings.
Through ritual, guided meditation, restorative movement, and sensory immersion,
release what no longer serves—and awaken to what’s next.
This is not just a class—it’s a threshold.
to witness your own funeral.
In honor of the the solstice, step into a sacred space between endings and beginnings.
Through ritual, guided meditation, restorative movement, and sensory immersion,
release what no longer serves—and awaken to what’s next.
This is not just a class—it’s a threshold.
- Touch the edge of sensation.
- Step into what you’ve always feared.
- Remember why you’re here.
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N O T I C E
This immersive event involves guided sensory experiences, including scent, sound, and light touch. Essential oils or other natural materials may be used thoughtfully as part of the ritual. By participating, you acknowledge that you are engaging voluntarily and take responsibility for any personal sensitivities, allergies, or emotional triggers. If you have specific needs or concerns, please reach out in advance so we can support you with care.
H O S T
Jay Davani (@thejaydavani) is Providence’s pioneering death influencer—a multifaceted artist, speaker, and hospice grief facilitator with a passion for exploring life’s final frontier. Born in Tehran, Iran and now based in Rhode Island, she embraces death positivity with high ethical standards, inviting conversations about mortality that are both profound and transformative. Jay is an experienced Death Cafés facilitator and completed Ayatana’s Death Residency at a renowned death-positive thanatology school for artists, where she delved into the practical, cultural, and existential dimensions of death and mourning. Her work has taken her to respected venues including the RISD Museum, North Burial Ground, Biophillum Death Club, and she has served as a Santa Muerte Artist in Residence, capturing the interplay between cemeteries and Persian death rituals through evocative photography. In addition to planning funerals, memorials, and organizing estate clean-outs, Jay actively participates in Life and Death Cafés, doula and grief trainings, and death book talks, further cementing her role as a transformative voice in the dialogue around life, death, and rebirth.
Event support provided by coach Jessica Natal of @holistichealing.withjess!
For questions please dm @projectmortem on instagram or use our contact us page.
This immersive event involves guided sensory experiences, including scent, sound, and light touch. Essential oils or other natural materials may be used thoughtfully as part of the ritual. By participating, you acknowledge that you are engaging voluntarily and take responsibility for any personal sensitivities, allergies, or emotional triggers. If you have specific needs or concerns, please reach out in advance so we can support you with care.
H O S T
Jay Davani (@thejaydavani) is Providence’s pioneering death influencer—a multifaceted artist, speaker, and hospice grief facilitator with a passion for exploring life’s final frontier. Born in Tehran, Iran and now based in Rhode Island, she embraces death positivity with high ethical standards, inviting conversations about mortality that are both profound and transformative. Jay is an experienced Death Cafés facilitator and completed Ayatana’s Death Residency at a renowned death-positive thanatology school for artists, where she delved into the practical, cultural, and existential dimensions of death and mourning. Her work has taken her to respected venues including the RISD Museum, North Burial Ground, Biophillum Death Club, and she has served as a Santa Muerte Artist in Residence, capturing the interplay between cemeteries and Persian death rituals through evocative photography. In addition to planning funerals, memorials, and organizing estate clean-outs, Jay actively participates in Life and Death Cafés, doula and grief trainings, and death book talks, further cementing her role as a transformative voice in the dialogue around life, death, and rebirth.
Event support provided by coach Jessica Natal of @holistichealing.withjess!
For questions please dm @projectmortem on instagram or use our contact us page.
The Edge of Being is the original title and concept of a proprietary immersive event series developed by Jay Davani.
Unauthorized reproduction or imitation is strictly prohibited. © 2023–2026 Jay Davani. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized reproduction or imitation is strictly prohibited. © 2023–2026 Jay Davani. All rights reserved.
ARTIST LECTURES
Art Speaks — The Wurks Studio
Tenants of Death October 8, 2024 72 Tingley St. Providence, RI 02903 8pm Free, No Ticket Required! 
Lifting the Lid
International Festival on Death + Dying Beyond the Forbidden: Rituals + Revolution November 15, 2024 1:45pm Program Tickets! |
Global Day of Action — Ritual + Revolution
RISD Museum / Metcalf Auditorium
September 16, 2023
2-4:30pm
Tickets Required
Persian artists from the RISD community for a rare opportunity to explore and discuss ritual and revolution at home and abroad. Provost Touba Ghadessi will introduce an engaging presentation by artist Jay Davani 09 CEC and an interactive discussion with fellow Iranian artists Saman Sajasi 13 PT, Sheida Soleimani, and Maedeh Tafvizi Zavare 24 CR. Discover the interplay between ancient traditions and modern revolutions, and the hidden narratives that have shaped Iran's dynamic landscape over time. Explore the cultural exchange and artistic influences that have transcended borders, and engage in meaningful conversations that highlight the universal themes of change, resilience, and transformation.
RISD Museum / Metcalf Auditorium
September 16, 2023
2-4:30pm
Tickets Required
Persian artists from the RISD community for a rare opportunity to explore and discuss ritual and revolution at home and abroad. Provost Touba Ghadessi will introduce an engaging presentation by artist Jay Davani 09 CEC and an interactive discussion with fellow Iranian artists Saman Sajasi 13 PT, Sheida Soleimani, and Maedeh Tafvizi Zavare 24 CR. Discover the interplay between ancient traditions and modern revolutions, and the hidden narratives that have shaped Iran's dynamic landscape over time. Explore the cultural exchange and artistic influences that have transcended borders, and engage in meaningful conversations that highlight the universal themes of change, resilience, and transformation.
Providence — March 2022
Canada — April 2023
