The end of the year can be a challenging time for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. With so many opportunities and expectations to celebrate, many of those who are transitioning through bereavement experience the duality of wanting to enjoy the holidays with family and friends while also being present with their deeper sorrows. Holding those opposing feelings in the same cup is difficult at the best of times, let alone during such a busy period of the year.

Gathering in community to share our grief is innately human and it is an essential part of the grieving process. This walk is an invitation to allow yourself the time to honour your grief journey and the enduring connection with your loved one, while being held by community in the natural beauty of North Head Sanctuary.

North Head is known as Car-rang-gel by the Gayamagal people and was once used by their Koradgee (medicine men and women healers) for spiritual ceremonies and rituals. This land has a rich history of healing and we are fortunate enough to have access to this space for our own grief work.

What does 'Grief Walking' look like?

Starting with an opening poem or reading, an acknowledgement of country and a safety talk with rules for nonjudgemental listening and confidentiality, we will then gather in circle with a voluntary introduction from each guest and a short description of our grief journey so far, followed by a talk from the facilitator on grief-related topic for discussion. Our topics for this walk are 'Rituals and micro-rituals of remembrance' and 'Ways of being with loss during the holidays'.

After the first circle we take a 1hr walk around the crest of North Head, guests are welcome to continue sharing their stories with other walkers or simply allow themselves the time to be present with their grief in nature.

Once we return from the walk, we gather again in circle for another voluntary share about any insights that arose along the way. This will be followed by a soft pause for reflection with tranquil guitar soundscapes in the background. Guests are welcome to bring a cushion or pillow and lie on a towel or yoga mat. We then close the circle with a gratitude practice, a final safety check-in and a group farewell.

What this is.

A group of up to 12 people who are transitioning through bereavement coming together in a safe environment to acknowledge their loved ones and have their grief journey witnessed, while being surrounded by natural beauty.

What it's not.

This is not group therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and the facilitator is not a mental health professional. If you are feeling like you might benefit from grief counselling, please see the free counselling resources listed at the end of the event description.

FAQ's

What does it cost to join the Grief Walk?

This event is free for those who need it to be, message the organiser to book your place. If you are in a position to buy a ticket, the suggested amount is from $35 - $65 depending on your financial situation.

Where do we meet?

A map will be emailed out with exact locations for parking and meeting the group.

What happens in wet weather?

In the event of poor weather a decision will be made by the organiser on the day prior as to whether the event will go ahead.

What do I need to bring?

For the walking section, bring a hat, sunscreen and water bottle. There are toilets at the starting point and the halfway point and also a water refill station at the halfway point. For the memorial shrine please bring a photo of your loved one or a small object that connects you to them. For the resting/meditation stage please bring a towel or a yoga mat to lie on and a pillow or cushion if you wish (these items can be collected from cars after we return from the walk).

How steep is the walking track?

There are a few slight inclines on the walk but nothing too rigorous. The track is rocky in sections and can feel unstable under foot. If you have concerns about the terrain please contact the host with any questions.

How do I know if this ritual is right for me?

This ritual is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one.

What if I’m feeling very emotional, Is it ok to cry?

Crying is a perfectly normal expression of sadness and telling your grief story or hearing stories from others can also be quite activating, with that being said, participants often find that the physical act of walking keeps them centred while telling their story. You are most welcome to cry at any stage of the event, but we are only together for a short time on this day so the vessel of containment is limited by our timeframe.

How do I know that it’s safe to share my story?

Confidentiality is a condition of entering this circle and participants are encouraged to meet each other wherever they are on their journey. This is a space to be witnessed and supported in a non-judgemental way, there is no advice given on how to grieve correctly.

How do I know if this ritual is not right for me?

Although this space is available to everyone over 18 years of age, if you are physically less able or if your loss is very fresh (within the last three months) we ask that you bring a friend along for additional support during and after the walk. For safety reasons, if you are experiencing difficulties with mental health or have a history of mental illness we respectfully ask that you seek professional assistance before attending this circle.

Any further questions?

Please feel free to email the organiser davecalandra@yahoo.com with any other questions or to be added to the waiting list for the next walk.

Resources

In Australia Griefline offers free grief counselling over the phone 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week. Ph; 1300 845 745.

13YARN provides 24/7 First Nations crisis support ph; 139276

MensLine offers free counselling 24/7 ph; 1300 78 99 78.

Beyond Blue offers free counselling 24/7 for anxiety and depression ph; 1300 22 46 36

Red Nose grief and loss offers free grief counselling 24/7 (for miscarriage, stillbirth, baby and child loss)ph; 1300 308 307

If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000 for all emergencies.

In Sydney other resources for grief support include;

National Centre for Childhood Grief

https://childhoodgrief.org.au/ and

Hammondcare’s bereavement support services.

https://www.hammond.com.au/hea...