STEPHEN FRY and Dame Prue Leith are among celebrities encouraging us to remember those we have lost in a new annual day of thanks tomorrow.
The first ever Celebration Day gives everyone a chance to reflect on, remember and honour those who are no longer with us but continue to shape our lives.
That could mean family, friends or people who have had a positive impact on us.
Actor and TV host Stephen Fry, 64, said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Celebration Day to remember and celebrate our loved ones no longer here.”
Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue, 82, added: “This is a joyous day to remember people who have inspired you or who you loved but are no longer here.
Light a candle
“You can do this in any way — maybe listening to music you shared, looking through photos or simply being with friends and family and raising a toast.”
Celebration Day was created by a group of friends, to honour the many who lost their lives during the pandemic.
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One of the founders is Julia Samuel, a London-based psycho-therapist specialising in grief, who has spent around 30 years working with bereaved families.
She said: “We’ve been discussing this idea for a number of years now and, given the past couple of years with the pandemic, now felt like the right time to launch Celebration Day, to celebrate the legacies of those we’ve loved and who we miss.
“When someone dies, the love and the memories we have continue. In a non-stop world, keeping as con- nected as we might like to the lives of those no longer with us can feel increasingly difficult. We all see Celebration Day as a remedy to this.”
It is backed by the Cruse Bereavement Support. The charity’s Andy Langford, says: “We know how crucial it is to commemorate and celebrate the death of someone close.
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“Celebrating someone’s life is a way to remember the happiness they brought, rather than just the sadness of death. Family and friends don’t always want to talk about the person who died but our helpline and online chat is there so anyone can share stories, because this is an important part of grieving.”
Those joining in Celebration Day are encouraged to do what they wish, from calling a loved one to share memories or inviting them for a meal, through to playing music, lighting a candle or looking through a photo album.
Go to celebrationday.com for stories and films of people talking about how they will celebrate.
On the right, Stephen Fry, Dame Prue and other celebrities reflect on loved ones they have lost, or just the experience of bereavement.
Celeb tributes
Stephen Fry: “When you see a lost friend’s number in your phone you never want to delete it. You keep it there and keep them close. We should celebrate their lives and the luck in having them.”
Dame Prue Leith: “I will remember my beloved brother Jamie on Celebration Day, with a heartfelt toast to the best of brothers.”
Line of Duty actor Lennie James, 56: “I’ll be celebrating my Aunty Norma, who we lost last year. I will take myself out to our terrace, look up to the sky and blow a kiss. She was my mum’s best friend. They looked out for each other when they first arrived in England as nurses from Trinidad.”
The Specials guitarist Lynval Golding, 70: “I’ll be celebrating Bob Marley, whose music has inspired me. I will listen to his song Get Up Stand Up.” Ska king Lynval will also remember his band’s drummer, John Bradbury.
Telly doc Radha Modgil, 42: “Celebrating those we have lost helps us process our emotions and reduces our sense of being alone. We acknowledge them and all they brought to our lives, and still do with their legacy.”
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