With heartfelt gratitude I wish to honour all those who guide and support souls on their sacred journeys; both into this world and as they transition from it. To the loved ones, carers and the extraordinary birth and death doulas and midwives, I deeply acknowledge the profound and vital work you do in these precious moments of passage, as spirit takes form and as form returns to spirit.
This touching account comes from my friend Leonie of Barefoot Funerals in Bellingen, NSW, who shared the deeply conscious and loving farewell she and her friends created for her beloved husband Chuck in 2023.
Births and deaths touch all of our lives, and this beautifully planned funeral is a poignant example of how love, intention and care can transform these transitions into something truly sacred. May it inspire us all as we navigate the tender milestones of this year.
- Cedar
This touching account comes from my friend Leonie of Barefoot Funerals in Bellingen, NSW, who shared the deeply conscious and loving farewell she and her friends created for her beloved husband Chuck in 2023.
Births and deaths touch all of our lives, and this beautifully planned funeral is a poignant example of how love, intention and care can transform these transitions into something truly sacred. May it inspire us all as we navigate the tender milestones of this year.
- Cedar
| A personal story When our wise man and founding elder, my beloved husband Chuck died, we vigiled for two days in our home. We washed, dressed, placed ochre on his feet, sang, cried, laughed, drank copious cups of tea, drank lots of tequila and prepared ourselves to say goodbye to his physical vessel. Our whole family and closest friends were here holding each other in their grief. On the first day it was only family, and those we considered family, day two we invited many more. Mimi from Sacred Earth Funerals in Coraki drove down and led us through a blessing and anointing ceremony, we all lit candles and thanked Chuck for his part in our lives. We spoke about the amazing human he was, how much we loved him, we grieved, we laughed, we cried, we prepared ourselves to say goodbye to the physical, his last rite of passage. Were we ready for this? No. |  |
We had a dawn service on the banks of the Never Never, following a path lit by candles, where we sat on mother earth, with no prepared speeches, we lit candles and said our name, prepared ourselves for the rite of separation, sang, prayed, made prayer ties, and honoured Chuck in the only way we knew how, close to mother earth, at the beginning of a new day, with the sounds of the river gurgling in the background, children laughing and crying and blowing bubbles, the kookaburras awakening and welcoming the new day. The men carried Chuck in his wicker basket, barefoot over the stones and rocks on the riverbank. They carried him back to our vehicle to make his final journey. Everyone had the opportunity to participate and not just watch, we chose a flower (native of course) to be placed in the flow of the river, to allow any bitterness from our grief to be cleansed and washed away.
Grief is still our partner, sometimes silent and sometimes annoyingly loud.
Love Barefoot Funerals
Leaving the Earth Lightly
Grief is still our partner, sometimes silent and sometimes annoyingly loud.
Love Barefoot Funerals
Leaving the Earth Lightly
| Am I a little more joyful today than yesterday? How joyful are you and how much joy do you give to the people around you? Are you conscious that you are mortal? | |
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