Keeping Relationships Alive
When a person dies, the bereaved are often tragically encouraged to say “goodbye” and complete unfinished business. Remembering practices aim to keep relationships alive by drawing on practices of story-telling, narrative legacy and rituals. Using these stories and rituals, relationships can develop new qualities following the death of a loved one. Grief becomes an evolving and creative opportunity for story development and change, rather than an unpleasant task to be worked through as quickly possible.
Supporting the Continuation of the Life of Stories
Remembering practices support the continuation of the life of stories rather than dwelling on the finality of death. When we understand that a relationship continues long after a person has died, we can appreciate how death provides opportunities for the telling loving stories that can be formed to construct future memories and guide our way through painful life transitions that often comes with the death of a loved one. We can employ the power of story to transcend physical mortality to promote the remembering of lives and the importance of maintaining connections.
