By: Tanya Newman
This paper shares a joyful practice story about re-membering community at the end of life. A “socially isolated” man was referred for social work support to arrange a will. This task became a rich experience of re-membering community and supporting Colin to craft his own after-death care. These collaborative efforts enabled friendship, community and a funeral with fireworks. Colin’s story highlights the possibilities of actively re-membering people into one another’s lives, and how narrative practitioners can support people to reconnect with those important to them.
Key words: re-membering; social work; hospice; palliative care; end of life; death; grief; community; funeral; eulogy; definitional ceremony; linking lives; enabling contribution; narrative practice; narrative therapy
Newman, T. (2026). Fireworks, a funeral and friendship: Re-membering community at the end of life. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (1), 28–34. https://doi.org/10.4320/VUIG2006