Nyx Funerals’ Launch
Nyx Funerals launched on June 21st 2024 at Studio Take Care in Brunswick, Naarm. Since the inception of planning the business I knew I wanted to begin with a decadent and reverent launch to ‘show not tell’ the power of ritual and meaning making events. So as Nyx is the primordial Greek goddess of the dark night, I thought it only fitting to launch with a winter solstice soiree.
The night began with Rose Gonzales playing intricate and delicate Spanish classical guitar as guests promenaded in, wearing 'funeral couture’ as stated on the invite. The room became full of friends, family and those in the death and funeral industry I had cold called to attend and who had graciously accepted. The room was an abundance of creatives, change makers and kind hearts.
The space was adorned by two floral sculptures by Babylon Flowers and the centerpiece a coffin charcuterie board by dear friend and artist Skye Kelly. She had planned, sourced and constructed the art work over many weeks, to make an unbelievable sculptural feast, even going so far as to hand craft the crockery and candles. It naturally became, as is often the way with food, an inviting place for conversations over large wheels of cheese, a tower of red grapes and shafts of honey comb sourced from our bee hive.
Once all the guests had arrived I gave a welcoming speech to introduce the business and what I planned to do with Nyx Funerals. I spoke of my intimate relationship with grief, with the tragic loss of my brother Jimi and then in quick succession the death of my mother Faye. I spoke of the healing and deep honoring that occurred in planning and performing their funerals as an extended family.
To situate the business I spoke of the inherent death phobic western culture we live in that is of stark difference from that of many cultures globally but also of the First People of this land, with their strong and enduring connection to country and intricate and enduring death and bereavement rituals and protocols. Australia is presently seeing the rise of the ‘positive death movement’ where people are having frank and open discussions about their end of life and funeral plans. This is seen through the rising interest in green burials, alternativeand secular funerals, home based vigils and being informed and decisive in making end of life choices. It is this wave of change that I am excited to hopefully be a small part of.
This will be seen through the three offerings of Nyx Funerals:
Funeral Celebrancy
Grief Support
Funeral Planning and advice (Nyx advice line)
The evening was closed by a writing and burning participatory solstice ritual. Guests were invited to write a letter of something that didn’t serve them, that they wished to release and let go of. They then took this letter to ‘the bird’, performance artist Wai Zea, where she tied the letters individually onto a solstice log and by completion the log was adorned of 70 white epithets. Once completed the bird slowly processed outside where a fire was burning under the full moon and Rose played sparse and atmospheric guitar. The log was then placed the into the fire and we all watched as all the letters burnt and smoke was released.
After the completion of the night a group of friends and family packed up the party as lots of us continued on with the night at Noisy Ritual on Lygon street. A sea of black lace, fascinators and talk of death and mortality. By midnight I was home, exhausted but so very grateful and inspired for Nyx Funerals.
I want to thank those who attended, your presence was deeply appreciated and made the evening what it was. I’m excited to work in the death and grief space and hope you all continue to live and die well.
Joh x
