Funeral ceremonies in the Northern Territory's Indigenous communities are often spoken about, but rarely seen by outsiders.

At a homeland burial site near the Arnhem Land community of Galiwin'ku, water, smoke and songlines have been used to cleanse clan members and guide a spirit home.

Senior clan members have allowed the ceremony be filmed, in the hope that non-Indigenous people — known as balanda — can learn about the ceremony's place in Yolngu society.

Elcho Island has hosted more than four funerals in the past month, with some lasting up to two weeks. ( ABC News: Felicity James )

Flowers line a burial site at an Elcho Island homeland ( ABC News: Felicity James )

"Balanda has to learn about Yolngu law, balanda has to learn about how to respect, how to come with a good approach, come with understanding approach," said Helen Nyomba Gandangu, a 'djungaya' or caretaker from the Golpa clan.

Elcho Island has hosted more than four funerals in the past month, with some lasting up to two weeks.

The most recent cleansing ceremony for the Galpu clan has been performed for the djungaya, who have spent more than a week caring for the body of a clan leader who recently died.

Helen Nyomba Gandangu (L) during a cleansing ceremony at burial site ( ABC News: Felicity James )

Men and children dance during the final stages of a cleansing ceremony on Elcho Island. ( ABC News: Felicity James )

They haven't showered since the man's death, having slept near the body each night, while others brought them food and water.

"Bringing the family and the people together, it's a really big hard job to do, to do the preparation," Ms Gandangu said.

"That was for those people that were looking after the body and actually also for their family, to have that cleansing ceremony."

Senior clan members have allowed the ceremony to be filmed to promote understanding. ( ABC News: Felicity James )

A man plays a yidaki as part of the ceremony. ( ABC News: Felicity James )

Under Yolngu law, everything — including people, their clans, animals and plants — is divided into two 'moieties' or groups: Yirritja and Dhuwa.

If a Yirritja person dies, a Dhuwa clan looks after the body, overseen by the caretakers, known as djungaya.

Before the clan leader's body was buried at the homeland, it was sheltered for several days under a large hand-built shelter of branches and leaves, where the main ceremony took place.

The cleansing ceremony, which used a bath built from sand, leaves and a tarpaulin, has been the funeral's final stage.

'Like a foreign culture, I'm learning'

After the ceremony, about 17 clan leaders and representatives met to discuss Yolngu law in a different context.

It was the first meeting to launch a mediation and restorative justice service at Galiwin'ku, which will be facilitated by the ARDS Aboriginal Corporation.

The service has existed in various forms on the island in the past, using Yolngu law and governance to help resolve community conflict.

About 17 clan leaders and representatives met to discuss Yolngu law ( ABC News: Felicity James )

Oscar Datjarranga from the Gupapuyngu Birrkili clan group is one of several community members concerned about government agencies and other organisations pulling the community in different directions.

"It's really annoying, someone coming into our community, without knowledge or understanding and wisdom, disturbing the community that has been here for a long, long time," he said.

"I'm learning something, like a foreign culture, I'm learning."

"They need to learn too."

Community members are concerned some government agencies are pulling the community in different directions. ( ABC News: Felicity James )

Under Yolngu law, everything — including people and animals — is divided into two 'moieties' or groups. ( ABC News: Felicity James )

For some community members, relationships with police need to be a priority, along with the need for strong male and female leaders.

"There has to be a very strong understanding of how to solve any issues, any problems with Yolngu people," Ms Gandangu said.

"The police, I know that there is their duty, that they need to do that, but they need to go through Makarr Dhuni [inter-clan governance group], through elderly people."

"I understand about their schedule, the work that they do, but they need to come and talk with us."

The launch of the service follows a Galiwin'ku community statement to prevent family violence, which was drafted in consultation with clan leaders in 2016.