Since the first lockdown began in 2020, hundreds of thousands of people have died. Too many lives have been cut short and millions have been bereaved.
Behind the statistics and whatever the cause, every death has been devastating for the people left behind.
Join us on 23 March, the first anniversary of the first UK lockdown, for a National Day of Reflection to reflect on our collective loss, support those who’ve been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future.
There are still tough times ahead, as the death toll continues to rise. This annual day will give us all time to pause and think about this unprecedented loss we’re facing, and support each other through grief in the years to come.
How to take part
We’re inviting you to take a minute to reflect and a moment to connect.
Join the minute’s silence at 12 noon on 23 March to show your support for the millions of people who’ve been bereaved and take a moment to reach out to someone you know who’s grieving. Have a chat, send a card, a message or spring flowers.
Get your organisation involved
If your organisation would like to support the National Day of Reflection, please get in touch.
More ways to get involved
- Join our free online talks and conversations, featuring expert panels, bereaved families and celebrities throughout the afternoon.
- Plant flowers to symbolise hope.
- Shine a light in the evening to show your support for the millions of people who’ve been bereaved.
- Share your experiences and spread the word on social media with the hashtag #DayofReflection
More details and ways to get involved will be announced soon.
Plant a ‘Memory-Tree’’ for your loved one
We have taken hundreds of dedications to plant Memory Trees in The Forest of Memories, and offering people a place to collectively remember their loved ones on the Memory-Pages. Thank you to everyone who has helped to do this by providing information on their loved ones. The pages we have set up are only a fraction of the numbers who have dedicated a tree in the Forest of Memories so far. We encourage anyone who hasn’t yet created a Memory Page to do so.
If you have not yet created a Memory-Page for a loved one you lost during this pandemic you can do this today. Visit the Memory-Trees.com website and complete the ‘Dedicate a Tree’ request, you will then get an email with instructions on what to do next. It’s really easy to follow but if you have any issues just contact us and we will address these for you.
Don’t worry if you have already dedicated a tree to a loved one on the Forest of Memories website, the process should still work OK for you and you won’t end up with duplicate tree dedications.
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Once you’ve created your Memory-Page, Memory-Trees.com will then let you know as and when new functionality becomes available on your account as part of the full Memory-Tree services that are being developed for the bereaved. Services that will be designed to make your dedication to your loved one richer, more meaningful, and longer-lasting.
The Forest of Memories
The Forest of Memories is a project started by ‘Our Heroes CIC’ with the objective of creating a network of memorial forests around the UK. Forests of remembrance for all those who have tragically lost their lives during this pandemic, and the creation of sustainable places of reflection for the bereaved and for people whose mental health has been affected.
The Forests of Memories will be grown in memory of people adversely affected during the Covid-19 pandemic, whilst addressing climate change, benefiting biodiversity, and establishing an educational and cultural resource for local communities. Creating a lasting tribute to people in ways that will benefit future generations.
STAY SAFE AND REMEMBER TOGETHER