Creating community and connection: Grieving Together Grief Retreat
Community connection is at the heart of our journey through life, including the management and understanding of grief. In October Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) and The Compassionate Friends of Victoria (TCFV) collaborated to host the Grieving Together: Grief Retreat – a first for SMCT and also for TCFV in hosting such an event within a cemetery.
The annual retreat intends to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to gain greater knowledge and understanding of grief and how to process it. The weekend consisted of dedicated time in workshops, as well as opportunities to interact, share, and network with fellow participants.
Eighty-two courageous individuals took part, each bringing their own unique stories and experiences. The retreat included a range of hands-on activities and panels including sessions on exploring sibling grief, the grief of suicide, yoga, flower arranging, and art therapy. These sessions were facilitated by a range of experienced individuals from SMCT partners including Grief Australia, Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS), Griefline, TCFV, and Standby – Support after Suicide.
Held on the beautiful grounds of Springvale Botanical Cemetery (SBC), participants began their experience by attending a heartfelt Welcome to Country conducted by Bunurong people Jillian West and Josh West, with Josh performing the smoking and Yidaki (Didgeridoo) playing. This ceremony allowed participants to feel grounded and connected to the land around them, which gave them the space to feel safe in their exploration of grief across the weekend.
Connecting with people and place
Grief and grieving can be an isolating experience, but throughout the retreat individuals had the chance to meet others in similar and different positions to themselves. Conversing and holding space for others allowed participants to see new perspectives by coming together through a common experience of grief. This was a new experience for SMCT, as previously many of the sessions offered by the Community Care and Wellbeing program have been targeted at individuals with specific forms of grief.
"I like how people came from different backgrounds/experience/different loss to share the knowledge and understanding of grief." – Attendee’s reflection
Connections blossomed – creating a network of people, shared experiences and ideas for the future. Across the retreat many found themselves forging new relationships, including strong connections with Jillian West. Jillian assisted to establish a connection with land, an idea heightened through additional programs on offer such as community planting. Bulbs were planted in garden beds outside of Café Vita et flores, and attendees dedicated a flower to a loved one.
Transforming relationships
For many, visiting a cemetery can be challenging as it can be a place symbolic of loss and pain. For others, it is a place of love and dedication to a relationship that has transformed.
Committing to and attending an event about grief is a courageous act itself, especially when held at a cemetery. Some attendees began the retreat with hesitancy about the location, yet across the weekend this understanding was transformed through connection to place and people. Many made a point of embracing their initial discomfort and concerns, allowing the beautiful surroundings and nature of Springvale to continue to evolve for them into a peaceful place to reflect on and experience their grief.
Attendees also had the opportunity to transform their relationship with grief. Sessions held across the retreat gave people the toolkit to greater understand their own grief, as well as support mechanisms to help others. While previously grief may have been seen to be something to overcome by themselves, the theme of the retreat -- Grieving Together – highlighted the importance of community and of reaching out when support is needed.
SMCT is incredibly proud of the work involved in creating a space for collaboration and fostering connections between people and organisations all with a shared purpose; to provide support for the community.
Additional support
SMCT’s Community Care and Wellbeing Program runs workshops and events to support you throughout the year. For more information on upcoming offerings, please subscribe to their newsletter.
The below organisations may be able to provide additional support or resources. If you are in need of grief counselling or additional support, please contact:
Grief Australia for resources and guidance - 1800 642 066.
Griefline provides 24/7 access to grief support resources for all Australians. Their help line on 1300 845 745 is available 365 days per year, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm (AEDT).
The Compassionate Friends Victoria (TCFV) provides peer-to-peer support services for individuals (18+ years) bereaved of a child, sibling, or grandchild.
24-hour grief support line: 03 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068
Lifeline
For 24-hour phone support contact Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue
Contact Beyond Blue for mental health and wellbeing support.
Phone: 1300 22 46 36
Kids Helpline
For children and young people, up to 25 years of age
Phone: 1800 551 800