Visions of a burial
Justin’s Tree at Walawaani Way
What does a burial look like at Walawaani Way?
Soon, we will have our first natural burials. It’s been many years of research and reading books about natural burial practices in the UK and the USA and from many conversations with incredible women such as Rebecca Lyons from Natural Death Advocacy Network who have guided the way for me … it’s starting to come together in my mind about how it will be done at Walawaani Way.
It won’t be the same as others, it will be a blend of many international and cultural practices. It will no doubt change over time as we learn and find beautiful ways to celebrate the bodies returning to where they came from – nature. When I close my eyes, I have a vision of what a burial at Walawaani Way will look like, and I’m sure subject to evolve over time…… here is what I see, and I hope it will give you some ideas on your Walawaani Way.
A group of people are standing at the top of the Walawaani Way Hill. There is hardly any talking, just a nod and small smile of acknowledgment to the late-comers as they arrive. The group of family and friends are watching their person being walked down the Old Princes Highway by the pall bearers. It’s not too heavy for them, but it’s definitely an effort from which they feel really good doing, something to show their person how much they love them, to do something meaningful. It seems slow at first from such a distance but soon they cross the bridge of the beautiful ecological wetland and are walking the body up through the old growth forest to the final resting place.
Up on the hill, it’s a very rare time of silence within the group, the obligation to talk is shed, it’s a time of personal reflection that is not overridden by words. For some it might be overwhelming disbelief and very surreal. It’s not a normal day and they would not want to be anywhere else.
Although it will be a shroud burial – the body is being carried in a recycled and beautiful wooden casket made locally. Inside, the body has been shrouded with loving care in an organic cotton wrap and the smell of lavender and lemon myrtle can be noticed. The body lies in a soft bed of vegetation and native flowers.
The shrouded body is gently lifted out on a wooden board with natural fibre hemp ropes. It’s a time for the final goodbyes of the physical body. It’s not easy, but it was never going to be easy.
It’s now time for the transition into something else, definitely transforming into life-giving soil, but possibly even a lot more, a transition of the soul to somewhere else, maybe.
There will eventually come a moment when everyone is ready, words have been spoken, maybe some moments of humour as stories resonate. Being ready may take a few minutes or it might be a few hours, there are no rules here. The loving hands grasp the ropes of the board and the body is slowly lowered into the soil. The board is gently retrieved so the shroud and body are in contact with the soil. Cards laced with native seeds and messages are thrown into accompany the body. Some nutritious soil is put on the body, also native cycad Burrawang (macrozamia communis) fronds are placed on the shrouded body to provide air pockets and encourage an aerobic environment to facilitate the natural process. Sticks and branches have been carefully placed to line the internal walls. It’s now time to put the rest of the soil back.
Maybe people who never thought about being part of it, take hold of a shovel, they now feel they are not a bystander but an important part in all of this, it feels good, they feel helpful and empowered. Maybe there is music or smoke or singing or drums, it’s hard to define this moment as the feelings and thoughts of each person are so different, but there is definitely an uplift in moods, a relief almost.
It’s the way humans have done it for so long, not to hand the body over to someone else, to think that out-of-sight will be easier. No – this is easier, this is life and this is how we say a proper goodbye.
Fiona McCuaig - Founder of Walawaani Way
