Community Grief Tending Ceremony

A Sacred Space to Witness and Be Witnessed

Hello beautiful community, women and men,

I'm wholeheartedly inviting you to come together in community for an afternoon of grief tending; a small group of 13, around the fire in a yurt. This is an opportunity to witness and be witnessed in our grief, to lovingly support one another through the process of release.

At times of great transition in our lives, when we are moving from one stage to the next, we often find ourselves at the threshold of a rite of passage. A time when we are being asked to lovingly release old ways of being, old ways of life, or old versions of ourselves, so that we can fully embrace the new stage of life that is calling us forward.

Traditionally, in many cultures, these passages were not undertaken alone. The village would come together to witness, support and hold one another through times of grief, loss and transformation.

Sadly, much of this has been lost in our modern culture, where we are so often left to navigate these profound transitions in isolation.

This ceremony is an opportunity to reclaim some of those ancient ways. To come together as a community, to witness and be witnessed, and to hold one another through the sacred process of letting go.

To give ourselves permission to fully feel our grief, to allow our bodies to express and release what they have been carrying, and to make space for the joy, vitality and renewal that can emerge on the other side.

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What is grief?

We are familiar with grief as something we experience when somebody we love dies. But grief takes many forms, and so much of it goes unacknowledged.

We may be grieving:

The loss of someone or something we love.

The versions of ourselves we have left behind.

What we longed for but never received.

The grief we carry from our ancestors.

The sorrows of the world.

The parts of ourselves that have been silenced or exiled.

When we come together in community, we create a space where our grief is welcomed rather than hidden, where we can witness and support one another in moving through what needs to be felt.

 
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What to expect

 Our afternoon together will include:

Opening Circle – Calling ourselves into the space and setting intentions.

Poetry and Reflection – Words of wisdom to connect us with the deeper meaning of grief.

Somatic Movement – Gentle guided practices including unwinding, shaking and tapping.

Grief Tending Ritual – Drumming, sounding and compassionate witnessing as we create space for the expression and release of grief.

Reconciliation, Celebration and Joy – Connecting with each other and the joy of community, with optional cuddles.

Closing Circle – Final reflections and gratitude.

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The grief-tending ritual is not a talking circle, unless you wish to speak as a part of your processing. There is no need to share your personal story or explain your grief. This is more about holding one another through sound, rhythm and compassionate presence.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and no expectation to express anything beyond what feels right for you.

You do not need to be experiencing a recent bereavement or a particular crisis to attend.

All are welcome. Come exactly as you are, with whatever you are carrying.

With love,

Kelly Shivani Rose

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ABOUT ME: 

I am a trauma-informed Soul Guide, Reiki Practitioner and Holosomatic Bodywork Therapist, with a degree in Psychology and Sociology and a background in Tantra and earth-based ceremony. 

My  work gently guides people through the sacred darkness and returns them to their bliss.

My personal journey with grief tending has spanned five years as I regularly attended ceremonies with a local grief tending practitioner as a way of processing the unexpected breakdown of my marriage and the intense transition that unfolded in my life. It was the support of the community and being held through this grief that enabled me to recover and to fully embrace the next chapter of my life. 

I then spent a number of years assisting her with holding these grief tending ceremonies, and have gone on to hold my own, including one at All About Love festival in 2023.  

I will be assisted by Sally Berg, also a trauma-informed facilitator who has journeyed far into her own depths  and who is experienced in holding alchemical workshops, one of which being grief tending. 

Together we will hold a sacred and supportive space for you.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

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TESTIMONIAL:

"I just want to say how rare it is to encounter someone who embodies such authenticity, devotion, presence, and integrity. Watching you in your facilitator and space-holding role was incredibly beautiful and inspiring. The depth of your devotion and the work you’ve done shines through everything you do.

What I find especially powerful is the way you balance the intensity and depth of this work with such genuine authenticity, warmth, humor, and openness. It creates an environment that feels both grounded and deeply supportive.

The entire experience felt, from beginning to end, that it was held with such care, intention, and love. The way you structured and guided the journey created a container that felt safe, flowing, and transformative. It genuinely brought tears to my eyes at times because it felt so beautiful and meaningful.

I feel deeply grateful for the experience and for your invitation to be part of it. Looking back, I can see there was a natural resistance before attending, and I now recognise that resistance as a sign that something important was ready to be faced and explored.

The work you’re doing is incredibly powerful, and I truly hope many more people get the opportunity to experience it. I came away feeling deeply touched, inspired, and full of gratitude. Thank you." - AB

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