As October draws to a close, the veil between this world and the next becomes thinner and thinner. For some, this is something to fear. For others — like the folks at Abundance NC — it’s something to celebrate.
Abundance NC — a local organization that focuses on wellness and sustainability — is hosting the 4th annual Death Faire on Nov. 2 in Pittsboro, an event dedicated to exploring death, loss and remembrance.
According to a press release about the event, the Death Faire will provide a supportive and festive atmosphere with a goal of moving beyond a death-phobic culture.
Featuring art, music, dance, poetry, storytelling and interactive exhibits, the Faire aims to create a community centered on the celebration of life, while also honoring the lives of those that have been lost.
Tami Schwerin, the executive director of Abundance NC, said one of the most important aspects of the Death Faire is how it normalizes conversations around death and loss.
“It touches people so deeply,” Schwerin said. “It normalizes things, and people don’t feel like they’re all alone.”
Schwerin also said that there will be a vast array of activities at the Faire, including an opportunity for children to pre-record their own eulogies and dance to their words while it plays on a speaker.
While Schwerin said that some might consider this a bit odd, it allows kids to engage in a unique opportunity to line up their life and embrace it, which she said she thinks is an important lesson for adults.
“That’s probably the biggest message,” Schwerin said. “If you can embrace death, then you’re definitely going to live your life in a more present, joyful way.”
