Grief & Gratitude Ritual

A welcoming space to keep our hearts open to life.

Wednesday 3rd December, 2025

Online 6:30pm - 8pm (Sydney time)

“The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them. Together they form the prayer of life."

~ Francis Weller

ONline Grief & GRATITUDE Ritual Flow

Ritual Opening

Somatic practice, intentions, poetry, blessings, housekeeping.

Making Village

Small group journaling with sacred witnessing & listening turns.

Ritual Closing

Closing blessing and reflections.

“In these gatherings, we tend sorrow and celebrate what still sustains us. Through poetry, silence and compassionate witness, we remember that none of us has to carry our joys or our grief alone.”

- Jono Fisher, Founder

Upcoming Ritual Schedule

Given the sensitive nature, these rituals are not be recorded.

6:30 - 8pm (Sydney time)

3rd December, 2025

6:30 - 8pm (Sydney time)

25th March, 2026

6:30 - 8pm (Sydney time)

24th June, 2026

6:30 - 8pm (Sydney time)

30th September, 2026

6:30 - 8pm (Sydney time)

2nd December, 2026

The Promise

A tender space where grief and gratitude sit side by side. Here we practice compassionate witness - reweaving the threads of connection, softening our isolation and awakening the joy that lives quietly beneath our sorrow.

The Invitation

You are welcome just as you are. Bring your tears, your silence, your numbness, your laughter. Nothing needs to be polished, nothing explained. All that’s asked is your humanity - and the willingness to show up with an open heart.

The Process

We slow down together. With poetry to open the heart, guided writing to deepen reflection and small circles of sharing, we practice the art of listening. No fixing, no commentary - only presence.

“Communal grieving offers something that we cannot get when we grieve by ourselves. Through validation, acknowledgement and witnessing, communal grieving allows us to experience a level of healing that is deeply and profoundly freeing.”

Sobonfu

a note of welcome

This ritual honours all forms of grief including relationship loss, change and transitions, sorrows for our world (environmental & political loss), ancestral grief and anything else present. There is no grief too big or too small for this work.

Reflections on the Ritual Experience

  • "I loved most being part of a community who were willing to feel the edges of their humanity, share that with others and witness others in that space too. It was beautifully and gently curated."

    Rae

  • "I loved the format of the ritual as well as people's willingness to open up and be vulnerable."

    Anonymous

  • "A sacred, honest and a deep feeling of safety. I left feeling better, lighter and part of a healing process."

    Vanessa D.

  • "I loved the sacred ritual space - and the way it honored our grief. I found the experience of holding space and also being witnessed in my own grief extremely powerful and relieving. It was like a missing puzzle piece in my life."

    Anonymous

  • "I loved the opportunity to give some space to grieve in a communal setting. Grief is usually such a lonely experience when it should be communal. I can’t thank you enough for making this happen. Everyone needs to come to this event!"

    Vanessa K.

  • "The gentle guidance into the process allowed me to begin to feel my grief in safety."

    Anonymous

  • "The gift of the ritual was to soften my grief, and keep it moving through me with presence and grace."

    Kate

  • "A rare opportunity to collectively share grief and listen to other people's grief stories."

    Paul

DISCLAIMER

These rituals are a place for honest sharing and transformation. It is not psychological care and does not replace the care of psychologists or other medical professionals. Jono Fisher, the Midlife Wisdom School or any facilitators affiliated with the school, are not responsible for crisis intervention and all participants are responsible to seek support outside of the gathering as needed.