Living funeral: The memorial altar

By Jordan Cleland
———————–

So you're interested in a Living Funeral Ceremony. Or maybe you were just browsing Tilde's journal. Either way, welcome. 

Tilde holds monthly Living Funeral Ceremonies to bring death into clear and immediate view. In this journal entry, we’ll peek behind the curtain of this intimate ceremony so you can feel confident and prepared should you decide to participate. 

Let's talk about memorial altars. For our purposes, a memorial altar is a collection of items held in the ceremony space, wherever you’re logging in from.

While having an altar is not necessary for the ceremony, it can bring about deeper reflection as you look upon it and think about your chosen items. It’s a tangible way to see what’s important in your life. A memorial altar can also bring consolation by calming the nervous system in moments of worry or anxiety. 

For Tilde’s living funeral ceremony, you’ll need:

A photo of yourself or a mirror (birth/death dates optional!)

A pen and paper 

You can also add these items to help regulate your nervous system:

Meaningful items to you

Tarot or other card decks 

Books

Spiritual or religious material

Sheer fabrics over windows and bright lights 

Herbs to burn (e.g., lavender)

Items that tap into the senses (e.g., perfume, bowl of water, soft fabrics)

Blankets and pillows

A glass of water or tea 

Tissues

Look how adding some candle light can set the tone!

Your altar can be as personal and extensive as you want it to be. Remember, you get to decide what goes on it. It’s for you and you alone.

If you feel ready to join a Living Funeral Ceremony, check out our events page. We have both private and group ceremonies available.

We’ll be back soon with a look at the somatic meditation portion of the ceremony. Until then, you know where to find us if you have any questions.