Water Baby Ceremony for children who have died

In Japan, Jizo Bodhisattva is the “guardian of children who have died.”  This is a ceremony for a loss of a child, particularly in-utero through miscarriage, abortion, still birth, or within the first year, although anyone with a death of a child is welcome.  This is a modified version for our present-day culture of a traditional ceremony that has been around since the Edo Period of Japan.

The Jizo ceremony is, among other things, simply time carved out in our busy lives to spend with grief. In the face of loss, just showing up for the ceremony requires a kind of fearlessness that is challenging in our predominantly death-denying culture. To do this in a room of people who have also made this choice forms a kind of collective courage which can transform and help heal our grief.

In a non-judgmental, accepting and loving environment, we will share stories, sew a small offering of a hat, bib or scarf in collective silence (no sewing skills necessary, glue is allowed!) and we will finish with a formal ceremony of honoring our children.

All genders are welcome.  Single or coupled are welcome.  This get-together will be limited to 5-6 people and will be conducted primarily outdoors.  There is a small screened, covered temple if it rains or the bugs are bad. Dress for the weather.