Living Funeral Ceremonies

So, what is a living funeral?

Living funerals have several different forms, depending on where they are and for whom they are being performed. At Ginkgo, we offer two styles of living funerals.

The first is a contemplative funeral ceremony, which is an opportunity for each of us to come face to face with the value of life by coming to terms with the reality of death. In this form, each participant is experiencing their own death, letting go of all of the aspects of their life, and resting fully in a state of peace. Without our attachments, roles, responsibilities, and identity, we are able to see ourselves from a fresh perspective. When we return to life at the end of the meditation, we do so with greater clarity.

The living funeral ceremony brings us closer to the positive qualities of our lives. By saying our goodbyes and letting go of everything that we hold dear, we gain a deeper appreciation for everything that we have and for the intrinsic beauty of being alive. This experience is for anyone who will die someday.

How does it work?

This contemplative ceremony takes place in a quiet, dimly lit space designed to create a sense of calm and well being. Each participant receives a memorial photograph of themselves, as well as a blank page upon which to write their final words. This act of writing our goodbyes, wishes, regrets, and gratitudes brings closure and allows us to more fully immerse ourselves in the experience of death. Each person is covered with a shroud, to symbolize the weight of funeral clothes and to increase the reality of the simulation. We, the facilitators, lead you through a guided meditation of letting go and resting in the state of being dead. Then there is time for sharing and coming back to life in our own time.

Can this be experienced remotely?

As a way of making these experiences more widely available, we also offer virtual living funeral ceremonies through video conferencing. In the virtual ceremony, you will be guided through the contemplation and simulation of your death in the comfort of your own home. You will work with the facilitator to arrange an appropriate container, setting up an intentional space, and establishing a supportive mindset for your journey. 

This virtual ceremony can be experienced privately or in a group setting with supported integration time to share and discuss. We are happy to work with you to find the living ceremony format that works best for you. 

What’s the other kind of living funeral?

The second kind of living funeral which we offer is a celebration of life for a single person, surrounded and held by their friends and family. Highly customizable, this ceremony can be performed at any time. Most commonly, a living funeral will be chosen for a birthday party, upon learning of a terminal diagnosis, or at another significant crossroads in life. This is an opportunity for the living to take part in the eulogies, toasts, stories, and farewells that they would miss in the context of an ordinary funeral. This is also an opportunity for the (not yet) deceased person to give thanks, to tell stories, and to impart the wisdom of their lives. This can bring closure if death is near, or it can grant us the simple gift of knowing how we have touched the lives and hearts of those we love.    

As a celebration of life, both styles of living funeral ceremony are deeply personal experiences which are unique in every moment. No two ceremonies will have the same effect or significance, each providing their own gifts in the unfolding of time.

Pricing

In person ceremony: $50-$100 sliding scale (with limited $25 spots available)

Virtual ceremony: $25 (in group)

Celebration of life ceremonies are priced on a case by case basis.