Metropolitan Memorial Parks (MMP) would like to thank these First Nations Elders, leaders and staff members for their assistance in the development of this resource: Proud Bidigal and Wandi Wandian Woman Aunty Barbara Simms, Proud Yuin Dunghatti Woman Auntie Dolly Brown, Proud Worimi Women Aunty Debbie Dates and Candy Lee Towers and Tammy Towers, Proud Woolwonga and Gurindji Woman Susan Moylan Coombs, Proud Anaiwan Woman Shalah Johnson (Sutherland Shire Reconciliation ), Brandon Brown, Jai Brown and Bronwyn Purtell of Gandangara Land Council, Proud Bidigal Woman Kelly Wyld of the Reconciliation Catholic Church – Yarra Bay, Proud Bidigal Woman Kimberley Wyld - MMP Customer Care Support, MMP Customer Care Consultant, Marjorie Nelson, Cody Hambly of Joseph Medcalf Funerals Matraville
Indigenous Australians represent about 3% of the national population, and whilst there exists a shared understanding common to most First Nations peoples, their specific funeral rituals and ceremonies are very diverse. A common idea amongst First Nations communities is that death rituals should “ensure the safe passage of the spirit into the afterlife, and to prevent the spirit from returning to cause mischief” (The Steve Sinnot Foundation: Bereavement and Loss Resource).
Community is everything for the Indigenous people of Australia, but especially after a bereavement. For the indigenous peoples of Australia funeral ceremonies are intrinsically a communal time where mourners come together to grieve as one. First Nations people have many varied death rituals and funeral practices, dating back thousands of years, long before the first European settlers discovered the country.
Aboriginal people may share common beliefs, but cultural traditions can vary widely between different communities and territories. These cultural differences mean that funeral traditions, sometimes referred to as ‘sorry business’, are not the same across all Indigenous Australian groups. And it is important to consult local community elders are consulted for specific local practices.
“It is very important to recognise that there are many tribal nations on these lands and waters and that each are unique to themselves each have different Lore, culture, customs and traditions and that each First Nations person comes from one of those Nations and by Lore can only speak for their own Nation regarding Lore and Culture so, most importantly, a First Nation person cannot speak on a Nation that they don't belong to. ‘’
Candy Towers – Proud Worimi Woman