St Christopher’s Hospice to hold online remembrance service to remember those who have died

Jide’s wife, Funke, who was a former secondary school maths teacher living in Sydenham, died in 2016 from lung cancer. 

His two young daughters were seven and six when their mum died, and were given support by the Candle Child Bereavement Service at St Christopher’s Hospice, which is holding an online remembrance service on December 6 to remember those who have died.

Jide acknowledges that this time of year can be especially challenging.

He said: “The first Christmas without Funke was terrible. Normally we’d spend it with family and the Christmas after she died, I’d planned to go and spend it with my brother and his wife who have children the same age as ours but if I’m honest, alI I wanted to do was stay at home.

“Grief comes with highs and lows; sometimes you feel fine and sometimes you feel terrible. I think you have to make the most of the times when it feels better and accept the times when it doesn’t.

“You just have to feel the way you’re feeling and know that that’s okay.

“If I had one piece of advice for someone who was grieving, I would strongly encourage them to make time with friends and family.

“You need them.

“There will be a time to be on your own, that’s so necessary – but you also have to respond to the loneliness and isolation that grief can bring”.

On Sunday, December 6 at 4pm St Christopher’s Hospice will be hosting an online remembrance event for the whole community, created to bring exactly this sense of shared support and comfort for anyone who is experiencing loss.

This is especially important in 2020 when many people have not had the opportunity to say goodbye as they would wish, or have been unable to gather with friends and family for support, and perhaps have been unable to attend a funeral or memorial service for someone important to them. 

The Remembering With St Christopher’s event will bring the whole community together to reflect on the year and remember people who are no longer with us.

All are welcome, whatever your experience or individual story, and regardless of whether you have a connection to St Christopher’s Hospice or not. 

Special guests include HRH Princess Alexandra, who is Patron of St Christopher’s Hospice, and memorable musical performances will be given by members of the cast of the West End’s Blood Brothers, and acclaimed professional chamber orchestra, the London Mozart Players.

The event will be live online on Facebook and YouTube on December 6 at 4pm.

It’s free to join and no Facebook or YouTube account is needed.

For step by step instructions and further information, including how to join the event and on how to dedicate a light during the service to someone who has died, go to www.stchristophers.org/remembering.

Pictured: Neeta Vadgama from St Christophers Candle Child Bereavement Service lights a candle of remembrance at the hospice