At the time of writing, 28446 people have sadly died in the UK from Covid-19, and this number will continue to rise. Each one of these people is a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, friend or colleague. Each life has value. Each person truly matters.
However, these aren't the only people who have passed - cancer, heart attacks, dementia, car accidents, and suicides all still exist. With hospitals worldwide being stretched to cope with the Covid-19 outbreak, and many outreach services being closed due to social distancing, some people without the virus are still losing their lives because they cannot access adequate medical care.
In the week ending 3 April there were 16,000 deaths - 6,000 more than could be expected at this time of the year when the number of deaths normally starts to fall with winter over. Not all these extra deaths were down to coronavirus, but a significant number were. The 6,000 extra weekly deaths identified by the ONS contained 2,500 which were not reported to be because of coronavirus infections - BBC News
Regardless of the cause of death, funeral attendance is limited to immediate family, and only then if they are displaying no symptoms of the virus. Many people who are self-isolating with symptoms simply cannot say goodbye to their loved ones, while a few have managed to watch the funeral being live-streamed. Social distancing must be maintained, which means that you cannot always get a comforting hug while you grieve.
Many are devastated that we can't adequately honour our lost family members or partake in the funerary rituals required by our religions. We must mourn and grieve in whatever ways we can. We must honour our friends and family... somehow. Below is a story of a community doing just that - metaphorically coming together to remember a dear friend and his father, laying down candles and singing in dedication to people who truly mattered.
"The local butcher died last Saturday of a heart attack. As no-one was able to say their goodbyes, the community have decided to put candles along the church walls and sing a couple of songs to remember him and his dad who also recently passed."
Candles for Brian; thank you all so much for all your comments, suggestions, and support. After a few conversations, the conclusion is that we go for Saturday evening 25th April - a week after the loss of our dear friend.
It would be wonderful to achieve a mass of tea lights along the church walls - the low walls between Blacks and the Church (two low walls either side of the path) and along the wall in front of the pubs if possible. The low walls are the priority, as we can dedicate one side to Brian, and one side to Keith, his father, who sadly also passed away very recently. This would mean a lot to Brian's mum, that we remember both men. Now, I only have 3 jam jars to my name, and one of those is half full of beetroot, so the suggestion is that those who wish to get their lit candles, in their own jars, and place them along the walls by 8.15pm on Saturday evening ( I suggest you mark your jars with a little tape) and then collect them up afterwards, thereby avoiding the potential for 'cross contamination'. Please, it is essential that we have responsible behaviour from all with regard Covid-19. When you place and collect your jars, please maintain at least 2m between you and the next person. I suggest a one way system from Blacks upwards is adopted.
Between 8.15pm and 8.30pm, wherever we are, we will attempt to sing the first verse and chorus of: 1. Amazing Grace 2. Somewhere Over the Rainbow 3. Swing Low Sweet Chariots
This will be followed by silence to remember Brian and Keith, then by a great big cheer and clap of thanksgiving! I understand some may feel we should have aimed for Brian's birthday, however this week we have the weather on our side - dry and low wind, ideal for candles. I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay apart from others. Many will stay at their windows or doorways, which is fantastic, and in their own villages or towns. All we are doing is simultaneously remembering and giving thanks for the life and the friendship of Brian and his dear father. Thank you all.
References
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51979654 - accessed 03/05/2020
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