York Minster plans Memorial Service to comfort those bereaved by the Covid-19 pandemic

A special memorial service to comfort relatives and friends bereaved during the Covid-19 pandemic will take place at York Minster later in the year.

The impact of the virus, and the national lockdown that has been in place to support the NHS and essential services during the emergency, has made it virtually impossible for relatives and friends to comfort and support their loved ones in their final hours and social distancing measures have resulted in restrictions for funerals and cremations.

The Revd Michael Smith, Canon Pastor at York Minster said that the circumstances have left many people feeling desolate and heartbroken.  He said:

“One of the most painful aspects of the current ‘lockdown’ is that many people have been unable to sit by the side of loved ones as they died or to attend their funerals. When regulations are lifted there will be a Memorial Service at York Minster to enable those bereaved during the pandemic to grieve and to give thanks for loved ones who have died.

“The proposed York Minster Memorial Service will complement local, personal church services held across the Diocese of York for families wishing to commemorate a loved one who they were unable to visit at the end of their life and whose funeral they were unable to attend.

“We will announce the date for this service as soon as we can but we wanted people to know that in addition to what local ministers and churches will be doing for individual families, there will be an opportunity for anyone to come to a service at York Minster to grieve and give thanks for loved ones who have died, and to light a candle in their memory.

“We hope that in this way we will be able to walk alongside all who have been bereaved during the pandemic, and, by sharing the good news of God’s love, to bring some comfort and healing to all those who have been unable to grieve properly because of the present situation.”

ENDS

For media enquiries contact:

Sharon Atkinson – Director of Communications – t: 01904 557248 m: 07785 615457
sharona@yorkminster.org

Leanne Woodhurst – Marketing and Communications Manager – t: 01904 559534 m: 07824 017585
leannew@yorkminster.org

Tom Outing – Marketing and Communications Officer – t: 01904 557249 m: 07469 084143
tom.outing@yorkminster.org