In this lesson, we will explore the essential elements that contribute to the effectiveness of grief rituals. The purpose of this lesson is to guide you through what feel to me like core components that make grief rituals impactful and provide you with a cohesive framework for you to create and participate in meaningful grief rituals. I want to offer knowledge that doesn't require us to have plenty of time and space to do this work, because we don't always have that. This means we'll cover slow-flow and sporadic ritual creation, and both are necessary so that we can pull in what we need when we realize we're in need.

Using the example of the 8-minute ILID ritual I created for my final project in Thanatology School, we'll talk about gathering pieces, preparing/dressing them, what it means to eulogize a metaphorically dead thing, etc. The lesson will also cover the multi-sensory aspects of this process, including the role of music, chanting, or other auditory elements, as well as the value of playful, soulful art-making that doesn't call for us to identify as creative, artsy, or artists.

By the end of this lesson, you'll have the tools to be able to harness the power of symbolism, safe-enoughness, and the incorporation of auditory elements as means of reflection, discovery, and creation. With this wisdom, you'll be more equipped to design and engage in grief rituals that provide solace and stability as we learn to walk with what we feel after we experience loss.

Key Lesson Concepts:

• Understanding the essential elements of effective grief rituals
• The power of symbolism in grief rituals
• Creating safe-enough inner environments for grief-tending
• Incorporating music, chanting, or auditory elements
• The significance of reflection and sharing within grief rituals
• Gaining the ability to design and engage in meaningful grief rituals