ABOUT US
Born from a love of craft beer and a passion for honest conversation, Death Over Drafts brings people together to talk about life and death​
Welcome!
I'm Stefanie,
I started Death Over Drafts by blending two of my passions: open conversations about life and death, and a good craft beer. What began as a small local gathering has grown into events across the country, each guided by our network of official DoD Crafters. No matter where we meet, one thing stays the same — people are often surprised by how uplifting it feels to talk about death and dying.
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When I’m not hosting Death Over Drafts, I direct senior and caregiver programs with SAYVA and Kol Tikvah, and through my private practice, Be Present Care, I help families and solo-agers navigate the practical and emotional sides of aging and end-of-life care.
Whether I’m leading a workshop, developing programs for older adults, or sitting with families during life’s hardest moments, my goal is always to create safe and welcoming spaces for conversation and connection.
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Grab your favorite drink and join in the conversation at a Death over Drafts near you.
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Stefanie Elkins, Founder
HOPPY BEGINNINGS
Death over Drafts was founded in 2019 when Stefanie Elkins, along with Jill Schock*, hosted the first Crafting Your Narrative Happy Hour at the Reimagine Festival in Berkeley, CA. What began as a casual gathering over craft beer became a fresh approach to talking about life, death, and everything in between.
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From that first “hoppy” success, Death over Drafts grew into both in-person and virtual gatherings designed to make conversations about death, dying, and grief more approachable and even enjoyable. When the pandemic halted live events, Stefanie pivoted to virtual happy hours via Zoom, inviting guest speakers and facilitating themed discussions that blended depth with humor. In 2023, Official Co-Crafters, aka Hosts, began facilitating DoD events in communities around the country and in Canada.
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*Jill has since moved on from the project.