CONTENTS Author's note Introduction ANTE MORTEM PART 1 - The Realm of Necessity The Circle of Abred The Call of the Reaper Nain's Story - First Loss Approaching the Halls of the Dead Haydn's Story - When life is too much to bear PART 2 - The Realm of Spirit The Circle of Gwynvyd The Path of Pain and Feeling The Seasons of Grief Dad's Story - Unwilling to Die Swimming in Spirit Being Spirit Myfanwy's Story - The Acceptance of Death PART 3 - The Realm of Infinity The Circle of Ceugant Towards Infinity The Mystery of Divinity Rachel's Story - Seeing through tragedy Reaching for the Soul's Meaning Millie's Story - Losing an Animal Companion PART 4 - As the Last Leaf Falls - Preparation, Practice and Ritual A Vigil for the Dying Preparation of the Body Peter's Story - Funeral for a Druid Saying Goodbye Samhain - Days of the Dead The Feast for the Assembly of the Dead Grave Minding Samhain Ritual Honouring the Ancient and Fallen Dead POST MORTEM Glossary Bibliography Acknowledgements.