Heartbeat: A special time to remember – critical care hold annual memorial service

January 24, 2020

Critical care recently hosted their 14th annual memorial service. Held in our hospital chapels this year 104 people attended services at City and Sandwell Hospitals.

The critical care bereavement team is made up of 12 nurses all of whom have an interest in ensuring excellent end of life care as well as providing ongoing support for families and friends. Working closely with the chaplaincy team they host a memorial service annually. It offers relatives and friends a chance to reflect and reconnect with those that looked after their loved ones.

Reverend Mary Causer opened the service with a simple prayer. Speaking to Heartbeat she said: “The service was open to all faiths and I talked about how grief becomes different over time. It’s important to look after your heart and soul when grieving and find ways to prepare for the next season. I think that was something everyone could relate to – the emotion in the room was powerful.”

One attendee commented: “Heart-warming, made me feel closer to the person l lost” whilst another said it was “emotional but comforting.”

Each member of the bereavement care team had a part to play whether it was sharing a reading, a poem or even a song. Catherine Beddowes, Senior Sister said: “The service was emotional. It wasn’t, however, a sad occasion, it was about celebrating life. We read out the names of everyone that has passed away in the last twelve months as a sign of respect.”

Jane Ulfig, Sister commented: “The service gives us as a team a chance to talk to families and see them months later as they are going through the healing process. It’s nice to keep that continuity. For the families, they’re able to talk openly about their own experiences with others who have gone through something similar in a safe environment. We’ve also found that some families return year on year so they can maintain that contact with those that looked after their relatives.”

Based on the theme of forget me not the service incorporated lots of special touches. Each attendee was given a bag of forget me not seeds that once sewn will flourish into a remembrance plant. A symbol of love and memories, this small but thoughtful gesture is a sign of just how much the team care about those they look after. Candles were lit and messages shared on our prayer tree allowing families to be actively involved in the service.

Catherine commented: “Year on year relatives are surprised that we do a service like this but are always so thankful. Their appreciation makes it all worthwhile. Unexpectedly at this service, a family donated £1,500 as a thank you for how their relative was treated in our care. It makes you feel very humble.”