Pure Land Death Festival

A Compassionate Celebration of Life and Death in South Australia
South Australia, known as the festival state, is set to host a unique and deeply compassionate gathering – the Pure Land Death Festival – inviting the community to explore one of life’s most profound yet often avoided topics: death. Far from being a ghoulish or spooky affair, this festival offers an opportunity to honour death as a natural part of life and to foster understanding, empathy, and open conversations around a subject that touches us all.
This isn’t a 'Day of the Dead' celebration, but rather a thoughtful and uplifting space where we can learn to navigate loss, grief, and end-of-life journeys with openness, curiosity, and compassion. It's a chance for people to come together, share stories, and ultimately, celebrate the preciousness of life itself.
The festival is designed to create a safe environment where everyone, from adults to children, can explore these themes. Participants can expect to hear from a lineup of inspiring speakers covering a wide range of topics, including:
• Unique ways to plan a funeral
• Navigating emergency death in ICU
• Understanding the legalities and legacies of death
• Overcoming death anxiety and death denial
• What is palliative care?
• A Q & A – everything you have wanted to know about death and dying but were afraid to ask!
For younger attendees, the festival offers a special children’s section, where experienced teachers will gently introduce these themes through storytelling and art. This nurturing environment will allow children to explore their feelings and experiences around loss in a creative and supportive way, with activities like face painting adding a touch of fun.
The festival will also feature:
• A meditation room offering Buddhist analytical meditation sessions
• The globally recognised Death Café, where people can join open and meaningful conversations about death
• Informative market stalls providing valuable resources and insights
• A picnic area where you can bring your own picnic or buy a picnic box from Wildflowers Café.
• The soothing voices of the Threshold Singers, who will perform during lunchtime
Whether you’ve experienced the heartache of losing a loved one or simply want to explore the topic in a compassionate setting, the Pure Land Death Festival is a day for everyone to connect, learn, and embrace our shared journey.
This isn’t just a festival about death; it’s a celebration of life, connection, and community. We invite you to be part of this unique experience and help us honour the full circle of life together.
All sessions are free of charge but bookings are essential.
Let’s break the silence around death, and in doing so, truly celebrate life.