Rituals in Everyday Life
Walking through Bali, I am struck by the rhythm of daily ritual. At almost every doorway, small woven baskets filled with flowers, rice and incense are laid out with care. The air carries the fragrance of frangipani and sandalwood, drifting into the streets. Temples overflow with colour, movement and sound – the clang of gongs, the swirl of sarongs, the chanting of prayers. Even in the midst of daily busyness, these rituals bring a pause, a reminder that life is sacred and transient.
These offerings are not reserved for grand occasions. They happen every morning, woven into the ordinary flow of life. The act itself is less about the size of the gesture, more about the intention – a practice of gratitude, reverence and presence.
As I reflect, I see how ritual does more than honour the gods or ancestors. It connects people to one another. A procession winds through the streets, and the whole community turns out. Children carry flowers, elders guide the way, neighbours stand at their gates to watch and bow their heads. In these moments, no one is alone. Life, death and everything in between is shared.
Slowing Down and Being Present
Being here in Bali has reminded me of the importance of slowing down. Watching offerings being laid or processions moving at their steady pace, time feels less rushed. There is space for breath, reflection and connection.
At the end of life, that same slowing is often what people long for. Not more tasks or explanations, but the calm presence of someone who can hold space, who can sit without an agenda, who can witness with compassion.
Beauty plays a role, too. In Bali, even sorrow is surrounded by flowers, music and community. Beauty softens the hard edges of grief. It creates a sense of the sacred. In my own work, I see how small touches of beauty – a sound bowl’s gentle tone, a favourite scarf draped across the bed, photographs placed with care – can bring comfort and calm in profound ways.
Bringing Ritual to the Bedside
For families facing dying or grief, ritual helps gather the moment. Light a candle. Bring in a few flowers. Let soft music play. These small choices become steady markers in uncertain hours, helping people feel present and connected.
My time here in Bali has been a reminder that we don’t need to wait until the very end to embrace ritual and presence. We can weave them into everyday living. In the way we pause to share a meal, light a candle at dusk, or speak words of gratitude. These practices enrich our days by helping us notice the beauty in small gestures and the meaning in shared moments.
And when death does come, those same practices carry us gently. They invite us to slow, to honour, and to gather in love. They remind us that endings, like beginnings, deserve to be held with care.
Perhaps this is Bali’s gift: to show us that rituals are not just about marking time. They are about helping us live fully, stay connected, and carry a sense of the sacred into every moment – right up to life’s final breath.
If you or someone you love is approaching the end of life, and you would like support in creating ritual, presence and connection, I would be honoured to walk alongside you.
About the Author
Shannon Beresford is the Director of Your Path Guide Pty Ltd, an Adelaide-based practice specialising in End of Life Doula services, sound therapy and travel. Shannon holds the Certificate IV in End-of-Life Doula Services and is the Chair of HELD Australia Ltd, the peak body for those working or supporting within the holistic end-of-life and death care spaces. He also volunteers in the Central Adelaide Palliative Care Service (CAPCS).
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