Greensboro Man Celebrates Life, Plans For Death

By Frank Stasio

Published January 12, 2016 at 11:55 AM EST

1 of 8

Frank Stasio and Stimp Hawkins share a laugh as Frank tries out the cremation casket.

Ivan Saul Cutler

2 of 8

Stimp Hawkins, retired minister and hospice chaplain, decorates his cremation casket with friends from his monthly discussion group, Cafe Mortal.

Ivan Saul Cutler

Friends of Stimp Hawkins added messages, drawings and pictures to the casket.

3 of 8

Friends of Hawkins added messages, drawings and pictures to the casket.

Ivan Saul Cutler

4 of 8

Hawkins and friends pose with the final cremation casket

Ivan Saul Cutler

5 of 8

Hawkins tries out the casket. His daughter joked he looked too comfortable.

Ivan Saul Cutler

6 of 8

A hearse from Lambeth-Troxler Funeral and Cremation Services donated and brought the cremation casket to Scuppernong Books, where the party for Hawkins was held.

Ivan Saul Cutler

7 of 8

Hawkins spoke to the group before the decorating

Ivan Saul Cutler

Stimp Hawkins wants to educate people about death, lessen the fear associated with it and spark conversations between people and family about the inevitable.

8 of 8

Hawkins wants to educate people about death, lessen the fear associated with it and spark conversations between people and family about the inevitable.

Ivan Saul Cutler

Retired minister Stimp Hawkins wants to say goodbye before it is too late. The 81-year-old, who has DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) tattooed brazenly across his chest, spends a lot of time thinking about the end of his life and his eventual death.

He hosts monthly meetings called “Café Mortal” and “Death Café” in Greensboro for people to discuss issues related to death and end-of-life concerns. Hawkins recently celebrated his death wish at a decoration party for his cremation casket.

Host Frank Stasio talks with retired minister and hospice chaplain Stimp Hawkins and "Café Mortal" member Lia Miller about their attempts to celebrate dying.