GRIEF CIRCLE - by Yasmine Rajabali

A circle of individuals that were familiar with the deceased. This includes family members, friends. A circle is made with everyone sitting on the floor.

Candles or dim lighting is created.

Everyone comes with something to share...

* A memory
* A picture
* A poem
* A piece of clothing/ jewelry
* A song (Anything that is tangible and can express their memory)

Everyone has a few minutes to share their song, their pic, their memory etc...Once everyone has a moment to speak the circle is open for others to add their feelings. A moment of silence is given to the deceased.

Once this is completed, everyone arises together and turns on the lights, puts on music (up beat) and socializes with each other. This shift in lighting, sitting, music and food allows people to re-connect with their surroundings. This gives permission to individuals to grieve and remember without focusing on the loss for the entire day. This allows individuals to come together and think of the deceased positively with sadness...with the allowance to laugh and enjoy after they have spent reminicing...this is to eliminate some of the guilt people associate with loss.