Community Remembrance Ceremony

This is an opportunity for the community to come together to honour loved ones who have died, are dying, or who are lost to us in some way. This Community Remembrance Ceremony and Picnic is open to any religion, spirituality, belief or culture.

You are encouraged to bring a memento, a flower or something personal to contribute to the community shrine. You will also have the opportunity to make an origami bird or a personalised message on the day. It is an opportunity to remember, honour, celebrate and create positive social and cultural change. This is a wonderful way to introduce children to death and bereavement in a gentle and positive way.

You are invited to join us from 10am. The ceremony will commence at 10:30am and will include a selection of songs performed by the wonderful accapella gospel choir The Honeybees. Bring a picnic, friends and family or come alone. Coffee and tea provided.

Stay tuned for confirmation as to whether the event will take place in Civic Park, or at the Community Centre playground and stage area.

Tutor: The Honeybees Choir Sydney
The Honeybees Choir are a non-profit community choir established primarily for the purpose of promoting and encouraging a cappella singing, in particular gospel music, in Australia. Although not a religious choir, the group is united in its love of the uplifting and passionate quality of the gospel genre. Their repertoire includes traditional gospel songs as well as modern gospel-inspired numbers which draw on related musical styles such as soul, R&B and jazz.

Tutor: Zenith Virago
Zenith Virago has spent 20 years working with death and dying, supporting individuals, their family and friends in the preparation of the dying process. Her skills make her a Deathwalker, defined as someone who accompanies those on their journey, along with their loved ones. She offers guidance including practical, legal and spiritual care. She’s the founder of the Natural Death Centre, and co-author of The Intimacy of Death & Dying.

Tutor: Nicky Solomon
Celebrations and ceremonies mark important occasions in our lives. Whether joyous or sad events they provide us with reference points in our lives and are part of what makes us human. I have been a Sydney based celebrant since 2007 conducting both wedding ceremonies and funerals. During that time I have been fortunate enough to take part in a number of courses to do with funerals, death and dying. I have a deep interest in why we, as a community, avoid talking or even thinking about our own mortality, and feel that this needs to change. It is an honour to carry on what Zenith Virago has started in Byron Bay with her annual Day of the Dead ceremony: a time to come together, as a community, and respectfully remember our dead.