What is a Balloon Release? An Interview with Reverend Lucinda Martin, Part One

Today SevenPonds speaks with Reverend Lucinda Martin, founder of the Association of Interfaith Ministers, Vows and Kisses and Graceful Mournings. Based in Northern California, Reverend Lucinda Martin became an Ordained Interfaith Minister through One Spirit Seminary in New York, New York. As a “non-religious” spiritual minister, she embraces all spiritual traditions and symbolic rituals and specializes in ceremony rituals in her work as a professional celebrant. In the first part of her two-part interview, Lucinda discusses what inspired her to become a celebrant, her experience officiating a balloon release and how meaningfully planned ceremonies can help in the grief and healing processes of the loved ones.

Credit: Reverend Lucinda Martin

Zoë: What is Graceful Mournings? What are some of the services you provide?

Lucinda: Graceful Mournings is an association of professional interfaith and multi-faith celebrants providing celebrant services for funerals and memorials and we offer grief counseling. When families desire a “Celebration of Life Service,” we specialize in offering support in creating meaningful symbolic altars and special rituals bringing memorable expressions of love and gratitude of family and friends.  We really believe creating these meaningful altars and special rituals help in the grieving process. We believe inclusive ceremonies help to bring grace into the healing process. Since we are educated in diversity, global religions, indigenous spiritual traditions, we bring a personal touch in supporting people of all backgrounds, faith traditions inclusive of agnostic and atheist.

Zoë: What inspired you to become a celebrant and what is your personal approach?

Lucinda: As a spiritual practitioner and counselor for many years, I found the need for families “unchurched” to have access to professional celebrants devoted to helping clients navigate loss and grief. From the wedding industry, noticing the impact and importance of rituals, I created Graceful Mournings to help people navigate loss and grief. I learned from experience how meaningful symbolic rituals and creating altars can be in helping families and friends process their grief.

Balloon Release
(Credit: humanist.org.uk)

Zoë: Could you explain to us what a balloon release entails? What was the experience like for you as a celebrant?

Lucinda: Just to be clear, I’ve only done it once for a corporation. When I was asked to do it, I was extremely concerned about how safe this would be for the environment. I did some research and studies have shown that, as long as biodegradable materials are used, birds are not hurt. However, even after my experience with this one balloon release, I’m still not convinced that it’s a good thing.

Balloons with messages for loved ones
(Credit: Pinterest.com)

At a balloon release, you are having family and friends write messages, draw pictures or share photos on small biodegradable paper to loved ones. The balloons need to be tied with biodegradable strings. It is very important that the release be done in a responsible way.

When I participated in a balloon release as a celebrant, I recited a blessing and then the balloons were released. I was amazed at how you could feel the shift and this incredible and energetic release of energy and tension. The family and friends were able to say what they hadn’t been able to through their messages, drawings and pictures on those balloons. It was beautiful to see. The balloon release ceremony demonstrated an emphasis on celebration and breaking bread, or sharing a meal, together.

Zoë: How do end-of-life ceremonies like balloon releases aid in the grief and healing processes for the loved ones of the person who has died?

Lucinda: It is an opportunity for loved ones to check in on unfinished business. With a sudden loss, loved ones are sometimes not able to say everything they wanted to tell the person they have lost. It is an opportunity to reflect and write and speak about the loved one they have lost. There is a sense of completion in having a chance to come to peace. A ceremony that is well written and delivered provides a sacred and safe space for people to process and reflect on something that can be so confusing like grief. There’s usually a lot of confusion when it comes to death and grief. There is no right or wrong way in the grieving process. We at Graceful Mournings provide support for end-of-life and all of life’s transitions: divorce, loss of a pet, job loss and health issues. Having someone to guide you is essential to help in the process and to accept the things that are difficult.

You can read part two here.

A Note From Our Founder of SevenPonds’: We’ve received comments from some of our readers, expressing their concern that balloon releases are harmful to the environment and wildlife animals. Our subsequent research shows that it’s true, even biodegradable balloons can still take anywhere from six months to four years to fully decompose. While balloon releases have been a most lovely practice of the past, SevenPonds would like to suggest new updated ways of offering a release at a memorial service. Releasing balloons can still take place in a contained space such as a barn, home or commercial atrium where they cannot float away. We also recommend some lovely eco-friendly alternatives to balloon releases such as releasing of flower petals or paper boats, to name a few. Please check out our “Practical Tips” column where we may offer other beautiful and meaningful ideas for ceremonial releases. Thanks for joining in to help make the world a better place. —Suzette