What item reminds you of a loved one who has died?

As part of Demystifying Death Week (5-11 May,) our Compassionate Communities team will be visiting three communities with a collection of items in memory of someone special who has died and share the stories behind them.

The items are being taken on tour to encourage people to talk about bereavement, grief and remembering loved ones who have died.

Gillian Gunn, Community Development Worker at Strathcarron Hospice, said: “Demystifying Death Week is about giving people knowledge, skills and opportunities to plan and support each other through death, dying, loss and care.

“People usually want to do the right thing when someone they know is affected by serious illness, death or grief. But often they can feel awkward offering help, or worry about making things worse by talking to them about it.

“This is an opportunity to give space for those important conversations.

“We are taking this ‘collection of memories’ around some community groups with the hope and aim that people will pop along to browse the items - perhaps bring along their own - and share their own stories of objects which are special to them which spark memories of a loved one. These items inspire cherished memories and smiles...and even laughter. "

Amongst items in the collection are stones painted by Fallin Primary School pupils as part of ‘To Absent Friends Week’, memory bears and a jumper belonging to a Strathcarron staff member whose dad was cared for by the Hospice before he died.

People can visit the collections and hear more about the stories behind them at:

• Thursday 1 May Denny Snowdrop Café 1-3pm Denny Westpark Church Hall
• Monday 5 May Tillicoultry Snowdrop Café 1-3pm Tillicoultry Parish Church
• Wednesday 7 May Callander Start Up Café 12.30-2-30pm

If any groups or organisations would like to find out more about the collection or host it, please contact [email protected].