A Journey of Loss is set in a tranquil environment designed to assist individuals in processing their grief. The focus lies on creating an experience that encourages reflection and remembrance of lost loved ones. Through a carefully arranged series of spaces, visitors navigate different emotional stages, moving from the raw confrontation of loss to a place of healing and acceptance. The design aims to forge a connection between individuals and their emotions, fostering a sense of community and solitude.

The Beginning

The journey commences with The Beginning, a narrow pathway lined with tall vegetation on one side and a cherry tree on the other. This layout symbolizes the tight constraints often felt during times of loss. As visitors walk along the path, they engage with their emotions in a controlled setting, prompting an introspective start to their experience.

Shards of Pain

As one moves into Shards of Pain, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. Tall, jagged metal screens rise vertically, instilling a sense of fear and confusion. Here, the pathway narrows to a single lane, allowing only one person to pass at a time. This design choice reflects the solitude many feel when facing grief, underscoring the individual struggle required to accept such profound loss.

Contemplation

In the space known as Contemplation, small, dedicated chambers for cremation vases provide a quiet area for personal reflection. Each chamber features ledges for placing flowers and candles, enabling visitors to pay tribute to those they have lost. The use of rough-cut stone for the cremation boxes adds a tangible element to the experience, highlighting the physical existence of grief and serving as a somber reminder of absence.

Healing

The Healing space introduces lively plants with pleasing scents, creating an uplifting atmosphere. A gentle ramp allows smooth movement, promoting ease of transition between emotional states. Natural elements make this area feel welcoming, encouraging individuals to reconnect with their surroundings as they experience the process of healing and self-discovery.

In Commemoration, visitors find themselves immersed in a reflective moment, surrounded by water fountains and brick screens that trigger memories of the past. This design element serves as a fitting end to the journey, allowing for a full engagement with the complex emotions of remembering loved ones.