GREENFIELD — Following a series of “Death Cafés” this spring, during which people at all stages of life had the opportunity to begin a conversation about death, the Interfaith Council of Franklin County will host a panel to more formally address some of the questions that often arise on the subject.

“We had 30 to 40 people attending each one of those Death Cafés,” said Kate Mason, a member of the Interfaith Council of Franklin County. “They were free-flowing conversations. After that, we put out a survey to the folks who had given us their email addresses and asked them what sorts of things they would be interested in for the next season.”

From that came the suggestion to host the upcoming panel discussion, “Demystifying Death.” The event is scheduled to take place Monday from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square. The panel discussion will focus on the dying process and options for support, choice and care.

Panelists include Mason, a retired hospice nurse; Dina Stander, an end-of-life navigator; Sandra Boston, founder of a local support group called Deathies; and Sher Sweet, a hospice interfaith counselor. Panelists will speak for about 10 minutes each, leaving time for audience questions and answers afterward.

Mason said she’ll talk about self-deliverance, to hopefully “raise awareness and acceptance of the topic.” Stander, meanwhile, will address her role as an end-of-life doula.

A future panel discussion will more specifically address “the business of dying,” Mason said.

“We’ll do Death Cafés in between so there can be more conversation about what comes up on Monday,” she added.

Death Cafés, which are hosted around the world, are group-directed discussions on death, Becca King of the Interfaith Council of Franklin County previously explained. Tea and cake are provided. People of all ages and stages of life are welcome to attend.

The “Demystifying Death” panel comes as the first event of the fall series, “Living into Dying.” In addition to the “Business of Dying” panel on Nov. 13, cafés have been scheduled for Oct. 16 in Greenfield and Dec. 11 via Zoom.

Mason said she hopes that for those who attend, it offers them an opportunity to open a line of communication with family members “so that it’s not a secret what they want … to explore what needs to get done before they die.”

“It’s not a matter of if,” Mason. “It’s only a matter of when.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.