I recently took an unplanned swift trip from Texas to London to attend a funeral of a very significant person in my life (Barbs Hanlon).
Several folks were curious about my choices and actions. I thought I’d share a little more about what influences me to show up in general and specifically at funerals. I hope this gives you some food for thought and encourages you to explore how you show up.
Years ago, I was deeply touched by the words of Brené Brown where, in "Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone", she emphasizes the importance of showing up for funerals, stating that it's a powerful act of support and connection, and that "just show up" is often the bravest and most important thing you can do. She views attending funerals as a form of "ministry of presence," where being there for someone grieving is a powerful act of support and connection. Brené Brown's research on trust found that funerals consistently emerged as one of the top behaviors that people identified as raising their level of trust with others. She emphasizes that showing up for funerals matters not just to the grieving, but also to everyone who is there, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.
“Funerals matter. Showing up to them matters. And funerals matter not just to the people grieving, but to everyone who is there. The collective pain (and sometimes joy) we experience when gathering in any way to celebrate the end of a life is perhaps one of the most powerful experiences of inextricable connection.”
I deeply appreciate our community, both here locally at Soma Ranch, Montgomery, Texas and also around the world via zoom. Our classes and community are a wonderful example of powerful experiences through connection. If you’re a participant thank you for what you bring to this collective and, if you are reading this with curiosity we encourage you to check out a class.