When the management of death was outsourced to the medical system and the funeral industry early last century, as a society we lost our widespread practical knowledge and wisdom about an inevitable part of life.
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A free expo being hosted by Miindala at the Bellingen Showground from 9am to 3pm on Saturday April 13 aims to showcase how to do death and dying in a way that is empowering, respectful, legal and affordable.
'Miindala' is a local branch of the National Association for Loss and Grief, and its name is a Gumbaynggirr word meaning "doing things well".
A volunteer, non-denominational community service that has been running since 2007, it offers compassionate support as well as information resources like The Do-It-Yourself Funeral Book and equipment such as cool beds that allow people to say an unhurried goodbye to the body of a loved one.
Coordinator Anna Chetan Bloemhard said the expo is the first of its kind to be held in Bellingen.
"We've had information nights and film nights before, but in this expo we'll really showcase what we've done over the years," Anna said.
A new edition of the DIY funeral booklet, revised and edited by Miindala volunteers, will be launched at the expo.
Originally written by Leah Munro in 1997 after the tragic death of her partner Kim, it aims to "encourage people to talk openly about death and to become familiar with procedures around death".
It was updated in 2013 and again in 2018 and is now also available electronically as a download from https://www.nalag.org.au/resources
Miindala has had a full-size cool plate available for people to borrow since 2017, and this will be on display at the expo alongside their new 'cuddle cot', a baby-sized version recently acquired with the help of generous donations from the Coffs Harbour Southern Cross University midwife club and NALAG.
"It's a little crib for stillborn and premature babies," Anna said. "Inside under the blankets is a cool plate, so that people can hold their baby and keep it at home for a day or so if they want to say goodbye. As far as I know, it is the first one in the shire."
The cool bed and the cuddle cot are both expensive pieces of equipment, but Miindala doesn't charge families who use them.
"We ask for a contribution, but it is voluntary," Anna said. "We believe that being able to say goodbye properly, possibly in your own home, makes the grieving process better. Not easier - but it gives a more realistic feel about what's happening."
The expo will include mini workshops on biography writing, card making, origami lotus flowers, painting of stones, coffin decorating and crafting other memory items.
There will be a fundraising raffle with prizes including a voucher for a Camp Creative children's course, a seascape painted by Mae Southgate and a complimentary dinner at The Purple Carrot.
Paintings and jewellery donated by artists will also be for sale to help raise funds for Miindala, and there will be music by 'High Lonesome' and other performers, as well as activities for young adults and kids.
Anna said the craft activities, the music and the artworks are designed to lighten the atmosphere and make the expo a family-friendly event.
"Often for people, the threshold is very big to come to something like this. We want to make it easier for people to get over the threshold and come and have a look," she said
To contact Miindala, phone 0448 084 792 or email Miindala2013@gmail.com
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