A ceremony or ritual to signify the ending of a relationship, the dissolution of a marriage and a new beginning, can help greatly with the healing process.
As not all relationships end amicably or in the shortest possible time frame, a divorce ceremony or ritual can be a very constructive part of the healing process. Some of us need assistance to enable us to move unencumbered to the next phase of our lives. Assistance can include, specialized counselling and a divorce – end of relationship ritual or ceremony.
A relationship break-up, whether it is from marriage, a defacto relationship, a long time same sex commitment or a long term friendship can be very traumatic, second only to death in terms of associated stress.
Divorce has the ability to carry with it conflicting emotions of love and hate, intense feelings of resentment and all the emotions associated with grief and loss.
Dissolution of marriage or long term relationships almost always affects more than two people. Children can be involved as well as both sides of the family plus the common community of friends.
Because of the sheer number of individuals and families affected by divorce in our communities it’s important that all forms of support and help is available to assist in the finalization of the divorce process, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically.
After months if not years of being consumed with the ‘divorce process’, completing the paperwork pretty much concludes the legal side of things but it can bring with it a great feeling of emptiness, a void, disbelief that a substantial part of your life has come to a grinding halt.
This is where a divorce or relationship dissolution ceremony ritual fits into the overall scheme of things, this ceremony is intended to assist with the resolving of issues, acknowledging the good and the positive from the past and let go of the bad from the past, offer forgiveness for wrongs, tie up loose ends, and assist greatly with the moving on and healing process, provide a platform from which to launch new and better things.
Ideally the divorce ceremony is conducted with both partners present but a positive outcome is still possible when the ceremony involves only one person. To have both partners present offers the greatest potential for a positive step in the journey of closure. Friends or family and especially children may also be present to participate or lend their encouragement and pledge their ongoing support.
Elizabeth Gray is an Australian celebrant and has conducted ceremonies for many of life’s milestones.
Read more about her divorce ceremonies at www.divorce-ceremony.com
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