Eulogy at sea

“Lines to Time” is a group of Melbourne-based academics, artists, poets and creative-writing students who have come together to give respectful recognition to people who have died without family, or the means to afford a funeral or be buried with ceremony.

With the assistance of a University of Melbourne Cultural and Community grant, and the support of community philanthropists, members of the group organised the first of the funerals that offer a dignified and compassionate farewell to some of the poorest and most socially-isolated people in the community.

“This project is generated from a commitment to the idea that a community of deep cultural resources, with a long history of upholding the equal worth of all individuals, is capable of noting the death of the least fortunate of its members with respect and grace,” says Professor Kevin Brophy, a founding member of Lines to Time and Co-ordinator of Creative Writing in the School of Culture and Communications at the University of Melbourne.

Professor Brophy’s colleague and fellow founding member of Lines to Time, Dr Joeri Mol, a Lecturer in Management (Organisation Studies), explains that “The common goal bringing like-minded poets together is to eulogise and bid farewell to those in our midst who died when no one was looking.”

Similar organisations, with whom Lines to Time has established a working relationship, are operating in the Netherlands and Belgium under the banner of “The Lonely Funeral Project”. Everyone involved provides their time, work and creative energy voluntarily.

“But while Lines to Time acknowledges the initiatives of our European counterparts,” says Dr Mol, “it expressly seeks to establish itself within the Australian community and, more specifically, within Melbourne. Lines to Time is for Melburnians by Melburnians.

“We see universities as ideal institutions from which this kind of educational influence can flow.”

For the first of the Lines to Time funerals, a collection of 35 passengers, people who had known the dead, some relatives, and others connected to the Lines to Time group, boarded the Enterprize to acknowledge the final disbursement of the ashes of seven people, including two babies who had died shortly after birth.

Stuart Robertson of the Frankston RSL Pipes and Drums Band piped the passengers and crew out, playing Amazing Grace and Sleep, Dearie, Sleep.

“It was a beautiful, poignant ceremony,” says Professor Brophy. “Nature itself seemed to be in accord. Seals leapt in the water beside us and birds circled the ship.”

Ted Worthington, director of partner organisation “Bereavement Limited”, noted that some of the people whose lives were being celebrated had no one to farewell them. “Now their ashes come to rest in the cradle of Port Phillip Bay.”

Mr Worthington then passed over to Melbourne poet, Peter Bakowski, who read his poem, “Eulogy at Sea”, written in dedication to the people being buried. Enlisting volunteer poets to join Lines to Time is a central goal of the group.

“Strictly speaking, the point of this exercise is that it is worthwhile in itself, and is conducted for its own sake,” says Professor Brophy. “Our aim, though, is by generating cultural expressions of compassion and respect, we’ll inspire others towards their own cultural work for the community, or simply encourage people to be more compassionate members of society.”

After the scattering of the ashes from the stern of the ship, sails were raised by the volunteer crew using the ship’s traditional hemp ropes, and the Enterprize sailed under wind back to Williamstown Pier.

“Our hope is that this gesture will remind us of the worth of all individuals, and that it will itself generate compassion among the public as they become aware of this practice that, in fact, honours us all,” says Professor Brophy.