From Fear of Death to Funeral Design: Ruby Cohen Love & Cafe Mortel

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Ruby Cohen Love, founder of Cafe Mortel, about reimagining what a funeral can be. Ruby shares her journey from struggling with fear of death and bipolar disorder to creating deeply personal and artistic memorials that reflect the true essence of a life.

Together, they explore how funerals and memorials can move beyond tradition, why planning ahead is a gift to loved ones, and how art, food, music, and personal storytelling transform grief into legacy. Ruby also opens up about envisioning her own funeral as a fashion exhibition, hosting “funeral rehearsals,” and her mission to design ceremonies that are authentic, beautiful, and sustainable.

Key takeaways:

• How fear of death can evolve into creative meaning-making
• The role of art, design, and ritual in end-of-life planning
• What it means to create a funeral that truly reflects a person’s life
• Why pre-planning is an act of love and service to family
• How Cafe Mortel helps people design unforgettable memorials

This episode will inspire you to think differently about funerals, death, and the legacies we leave behind.

Links/Resources

• Guest: Ruby Cohen Love – Cafe Mortel: https://www.cafemortel.world
• Host: Traci Arieli – Comforting Closure: https://www.comfortingclosure.com

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