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The ICCM Journal | Spring 2021 | V89 No. 1
christmas celebrations A look at how Christmas was celebrated across the country in these challenging times. Southwark Service of Remembrance It has been such a difficult and challenging year for all of us and especially how we are able to offer help and support to the bereaved. It would be usual for services of remembrance to be taking place in crematoria and cemeteries nationally to mark the memory of those that have died. However, the coronavirus has impacted on our ability to physically come together to acknowledge a shared experience of loss.
different format the message remains the same.
Your response to overcome these obstacles has been truly heart-warming. Despite the restrictions, and in line with respecting the Covid-19 protocols, I was so pleased to see so many of you organising virtual events alongside services with limited attendance. Having experienced the death of my own mum, and the death of two friends during the year, it meant a lot to be invited to Southwark’s Service of Remembrance.
During our service today we will honour and remember loved ones, family, friends, residents and Southwark council colleagues who have lost their lives during 2020.”
As this was my first service I have attended virtually, I didn’t really know what to expect and how it would be organised. Sam Rees, the Bereavement Services Development Manager, emailed Virtual view of the service me the order of service, the scroll of remembrance that lists all deceased persons who Southwark have received into their care, and instructions on how to join online and presented ideas on how to be part of the service. Logging on was simple and easy through the Obitus website. Once connected you were transported inside the chapel, presented with a beautiful wall of light and Christmas tree display in front of the catafalque. It was obvious to see that those who were attending the service were socially distanced and wearing face masks. There was a lovely piece of music playing in the background which set the scene for the start of the service.
And while those who would attend our services cant physically be here with us, we can continue to support and share time and reflect and remember.
The service was officiated by the Reverend Antony Roskoss. As a symbol of remembrance and our hopes, the Reverend invited a selected number of attendees to light the candles that were placed on the catafalque. This was followed by a reading from Luke Saggers called ‘Hope’. A wall of remembrance was unveiled in the chapel and Reverand Roskoss then invited the congregation to hang their tag on the tree of memories. I watched one by one as each person did just that whilst the music “Tomorrow” by Marisha Wallace played in the background, at the same time the scroll of names of those that had died was displayed on the screen. It was a very moving and poignant moment. Another reading followed together with The Lord’s Prayer. Sam Rees gave a message of thanks: “In closing I would first like to thank Rev Roskoss for leading today's service, the bereavement team and grounds contractors for maintaining our services and continuing to support families, our thoughts are with all of the families and friends who have experienced loss during 2020. While we understand that grief looks different for everyone, please know you are not alone. Throughout 2020 we have all encountered the theme of rainbows, in embracing hope and the future I wanted to share this message
“2020 has been the year that has changed so much for so many, It has changed the way we hold funerals and the ways in which families say goodbye.
A rainbow is a promise Of sunshine after the rain Of calm after the storms Of joy after sadness Of peace after pain And of love after loss”
While endeavouring to maintain services and support families we created the wall of light and placed a dedication in memory of every deceased entrusted to our care, extending our support to families and personally acknowledging loss.
This really was a lovely service, and it was in no way compromised by attending virtually. The sentiment and emotion were felt as strongly as being there in person. It is true that distance shouldn’t mean we can’t share our grief.
An important part of the support we provide extends beyond a funeral and our remembrance services help to celebrate life and keep memories alive, and while todays service is delivered in a very
Well done and thank you to all at Southwark and to all of you who have held similar services of remembrance.
Sam Rees opened the service with a welcome message. He said
Sofia Allana
