The festive season, often a time of joy, can be profoundly challenging for those who have lost a loved one. Recognising this, the UK's leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, is extending a warm invitation to the Solihull community for its annual Lights to Remember service.
A Beacon of Remembrance in Solihull
The special event will be held at the Marie Curie Hospice on Marsh Lane in Solihull on Sunday, 7th December, beginning at 4pm. This gathering falls poignantly within the national Grief Awareness Week (2-8th December). The service will feature readings and music, creating a supportive space for local families and hospice staff to unite and reflect on cherished memories.
Attendance is free, but those wishing to go are asked to confirm by emailing solihull.hospice@mariecurie.org.uk.
Expert Advice for Navigating Festive Grief
Ahead of the service, Jane Murray, the Bereavement Services Manager at the Solihull hospice, offered crucial guidance. She emphasised that the Christmas period can be difficult for the bereaved, regardless of how much time has passed.
"Grief is a normal emotion and there is no right or wrong way to grieve, no set pattern and no set time frame," Jane stated. She acknowledged the pressure to appear happy and maintain traditions, which can be emotionally exhausting.
Her key advice includes:
- Prioritise self-care and give yourself permission to do things differently.
- Plan ahead with family and friends to discuss what feels manageable, easing the sense of pressure.
- Consider creating moments for remembrance, such as lighting a candle or sharing photos, but also accept that some may not wish to celebrate at all.
For immediate support, the charity's free Support Line (0800 090 2309) and webchat will remain open throughout the festive period.
Personal Perspectives from the Frontline of Care
The emotional weight of the season is also felt deeply by the hospice staff themselves. Vicki Clark, a Healthcare Assistant at the Solihull hospice, shared her personal experience of losing her mother four years ago, just weeks before Christmas.
"It can be hard celebrating Christmas," Vicki explained, noting her father's changed interest in festivities. "But we like to reminisce about our good times as a family... My wife and colleagues help me maintain my positivity."
She also highlighted the compassionate care provided at the hospice, where teams support patients and families who may be facing a final Christmas together. "We offer a listening ear... If people want to celebrate Christmas or any other occasion, we will make it happen, regardless of the time of year," she said, recalling a time they decorated with tinsel in June.
Marie Curie provides expert end-of-life care in its hospices and in people's homes, supporting both patients and their loved ones. The charity relies entirely on public donations to fund this vital work, including its nursing care and the free Support Line.
As the charity notes, while no one should die without the expert care they need at Christmas, currently someone dies without it every five minutes in the UK. The public can support its Christmas Appeal to provide care, comfort and joy.
