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ABOUT
Cafe Mortel is a creative studio and luxury deathstyle brand transforming funeral experiences through art, design, and innovation. Founded in 2020 by Ruby Cohen Love, the studio bridges creative direction production with end-of-life support, creating new meaningful rituals relevant to the 2020s.
A creative director, producer, and Central Saint Martins graduate in Fashion Communication, Ruby creates immersive experiences at the intersection of loss and artistic expression. As a student of thanatology - the discipline that studies death as a part of life - she produces thoughtful moments that honor both the finality of death and the transformative nature of grief.
ORIGINS
Named in honor of Bernard Crettaz's cafe mortel movement, which hosted over 40 death discussions across Switzerland between 2004-2010. Crettaz promoted open conversations about mortality by removing the specialist barrier, allowing people to explore their curiosity about death in a safe, structured space.The concept for reimagining funeral rites emerged in 2017, when founder Ruby Cohen Love envisioned her own funeral as a fashion exhibition. This vision evolved into a luxury death-style brand focused on being alive, not on grief.
PHILOSOPHY
Cafe Mortel is about death, but it is for the living. We create space for people to explore their curiosity about death in a safe, structured environment that focuses on being alive. Thinking about death allows you to change your priorities in life - if you plan for your death you will have an awareness of whether you are living the life you want to lead until that time.
SUSTAINABILITY
Committed to sustainable innovation in the death care space, we partner with pioneers ranging from mycelium coffin creators to memorial coral reef restorers. Our circular vision ensures that end-of-life practices contribute to environmental regeneration rather than depletion.