The Art of Grieving: Day of the Dead

There is grief that travels through bloodlines, through stories, through objects, and through memories. Through the spoken and the unspoken.

This is space set aside to meet that grief, together, in community.

The day draws on practices and inspiration from Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a centuries-old Mesoamerican tradition. Rooted in these Indigenous practices, we will meet death through ceremony and celebration, while weaving in other practices of group work, creativity, movement, and ritual.

What we'll explore together:

• Group Constellation: A social system constellation to explore the collective block many of us carry to our ancestors and to death itself
• Micro Constellations: Smaller, personal constellations honoring your own individual connection to your lineage
• Somatic Movement: Moving grief and ancestral memory through the body
• Writing Exercises: Giving words to what we carry and being witnessed in our grief
• Individual Altar-Building: Creating a personal altar to the ancestor(s) or loved one(s) you're honoring. *This is a long-running tradition practiced throughout meso-america at this time of year.*
• Group Altar-Building: Weaving our individual altars into a shared, communal offering
• Communal Grief Ritual: Remembering our ancestors in a good way - through song, story, and heart sharings
• Group Meal: Closing the day together over an ancestor plate and a shared meal in their honor

(Tentative) Schedule: subject to shifting slightly

• 10:00 AM: Arrival & Settling In
• 10:30 - 12:00: Introductions, Ritual Opening & Constellation Work
• 12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch (bring your own lunch)
• 1:00 - 6:00 PM: Constellation Work, Altar Building, Communal Ritual
• 6:00 PM: Closing & Group Dinner (provided)
• 7:00 PM: Event Ends

What to bring:

• A photo, object, or small memento of an ancestor or loved one you'd like to honor
• Your own lunch (light dinner is provided)
• Waterbottle
• Journal & Pen
• Extra squish to be comfortable
• Layers (we will be inside & outside)

Location: Golden, CO

Facilitators: These rituals are facilitated with care by four grief tenders: Danielle Rifkin, Daniel Maynard, Sarah D'Antoni, and Sydney Badik.

Work-Trade: If the ticket price is a barrier for you, we have a few work-trade opportunities. Please reach out directly if interested.