A Special Online Mother’s Day Remembrance Service
This year to comply with Government guideline and stop the spread of COVID-19, we are unable to hold our annual Mother’s Day Remembrance Service at Bunurong Memorial Park.
We know that coming together as a community is really important – especially during difficult times, so this year, we were delighted to host a special online remembrance service on Thursday 7 May 2020.
Whilst we could not physically be together with our community this webinar service allowed our community to join with us in the safety of their own home, to remember, reflect and honour our Mothers. The service was held in partnership with Templeton Family Funerals and lead by celebrant Margaret Fitzpatrick. We had a wonderful response of more than 200 households join us online as we shared a beautiful evening of comfort, community, peace and love. Before the service families were asked to share thoughts and wishes as well as an image of their mother and we were delighted at the response of submissions as we created photomontages of these shown on the evening.
We know that each person moves through grief in their own way, some have special rituals that they like to observe while others may prefer to go places that conjure happy memories.
One ritual that is practised across many cultures around the world, is the lighting of a candle to pay tribute to a life that has passed. We invited families to have a candle ready and safely placed beside them as we lit a candle together in remembrance of loved ones, signifying that their memory lives on and burns brightly within our hearts.
Ellese Templeton, founder and director of Templeton Family Funerals shared a beautiful poem during the service, honouring the memory of her mother.
Mum – Author unknown
The day you left and gained your wings
My heart just broke in two
I wish you could have stayed with me
But heaven needed you
You left me with the memories
And I love you dearly still
No matter how much time goes by
You know I always will
You were a very special person
With kindness in your heart
And the love we had together
Grows stronger now we’re apart
I know I cannot bring you back
Although I wish it everyday
But a piece of me went with you
The day you went away
We would like to say a special thank you to our team at SMCT who helped bring this unique online event together.
We encourage you to visit smct.org.au/help for a list of bereavement counselling and support organisations. Or you can visit the community support page for complimentary online wellness sessions.
