The annual Day of the Dead Ceremony will be held November 21 at the fig tree, Heritage Park, Mullumbimby from 3pm. The ceremony starts at 4pm.
Local celebrant and Deathwalker, Zenith Virago facilitates the event, and says although it has the same name as the South American celebration, this is a uniquely Australian cultural experience, open to any religion, spirituality, belief or culture.
She says, ‘It is an opportunity for everyone to come together for those who have died, are dying, or who are lost to us in some way’.
She says it is also an opportunity to celebrate and create positive social and cultural change.
‘It is a wonderful way to introduce children to death and bereavement in a gentle and positive way’.
The event will start with local community artist Sam Collyer and everyone is invited and encouraged to bring photographs, or a special something for the shrine, as well as writing messages for loved ones.
She says, ‘Bring a blanket, or chair, if it is a sunny day, bring a hat’.
Zenith will conduct an inclusive ceremony of love and remembrance at 4pm accompanied by the Big Little Town Choir.
Children welcome
‘Children are welcome, but please keep them with you during the ceremony’.
Zenith explains, ‘We offer this event each year, to bring death, dying and loss back into our own hands and hearts. As individuals and community we are all touched by loss, and we see the need for people to honour and remember those they have loved who have died, recently or a while ago, without the shock or the rawness of the funeral. We offer this day towards healing and acceptance. Death is the natural and sacred end of our lives, those we love are always a part of our lives as they continue to live on in our hearts’.
For more information, visit www.naturaldeathcarecentre.org or join the event on Facebook page.
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