To Absent Friends Festival takes place yearly and we are currently half way through this week. 

It's a people's festival of storytelling and remembrance because 'dead ordinary people live on in the memories and stories we share'. 

Grief is difficult. Anything can trigger a memory. A song, a smell, a place and it's important we acknowledge this and keep the memory of those who have died going. When we're forced to say goodbye to someone in the physical form, we're also being offered the opportunity to say hello to them in our imaginations.

To create your own ritual, ask yourself what brought joy to your loved one. The more specific you can be with your answers, the better. You can then do something special for you and your loved one, whether that's cooking a favourite meal, having a favourite tipple of simply reminiscing over photographs. Others may prefer a quiet space with just a lit candle for company to remind themselves of the love shared.

Unfortunately at this present time it is not possible to gather with family and friends in remembrance to share memories in the traditional way so we must do what we can, in whatever way possible, to acknowledge what is a very important ritual for many.

This year Strathcarron Hospice will be unable to hold our annual service of remembrance, Light Up A Life, in the Hospice grounds. To overcome this we will be running the service by video which will be available for everyone to come together virtually on Tuesday 1^st December at 7pm. If you would like to join us in celebrating life and love then please pre-register at:

https://www.strathcarronhospice.net/news/light-up-a-life-candlelight-celebration-2020