Dying matters...

Friday 15 May 2020

HSC is encouraging people in Guernsey to talk more openly about death, dying and bereavement this week, as the island marks national 'Dying Matters Awareness Week'.

The week has been marked annually in Guernsey for the last seven years, though this year is slightly different.

Usually, a number of events would be held to prompt conversation but, because of the covid restrictions, organisers have put together a variety of resources to be shared online instead.

"We know it is hard for people to talk about dying and death despite it being the one certainty in life," said Hospital Chaplain, Linda Le Vasseur. "For people to talk about their wishes as they come to the end of their lives, they need someone to listen. We owe it to the people we love to listen to their thoughts on death, grief and funerals in order that we can support their wishes when the time comes."

Pictured: Linda Le Vasseur is a Chaplain at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

Many mourners have been impacted by the recent lockdown restrictions, which have seen local funerals having to be held privately to avoid spread of the virus.

With the help of St Margaret's Hospice, the team behind the local 'Dying Matters Awareness Week' are sharing a document to support those who can't attend a loved one's funeral. 'Remembering in Love' aims to help mourners reflect on and celebrate the life of the deceased, offering ideas for readings, poems and prayers to use at home.

The organising team have also launched a 'Shared Hearts Project', encouraging members of the community to knit a pair of hearts. These will be used to connect families where a loved one dies in HSC's care without family present.

While the project is particularly relevant at the moment, with strict restrictions on hospital visits, it will continue as services return to normal.

Pictured: The organising team have come up with a Shared Hearts project.

HSC has put together the series of resources working in partnership with the Guernsey Bereavement Service, which has reshaped its service throughout the corona virus pandemic in order to continue offering counselling, information and advice.

“I would encourage anyone who is experiencing loss and needs help to understand and manage their feelings to get in touch with us now to chat it through and see how we can help," added Guernsey Bereavement Service Manager, Clara Le Vallee. "The service is completely confidential and tailored to each individual.”

The Guernsey Bereavement Service can be contacted on 257778 or by emailing gsybereavement@cwgsy.net.

For further information on 'Dying Matters Awareness Week', click HERE.