National Day of Reflection: Leeds buildings to be lit up yellow as people encouraged to pay tribute to lives lost in pandemic

Civic buildings will be lit up in yellow throughout the evening to show support to people going through bereavement

As part of the National Day of Reflection, organised by charity Marie Curie, the city will pause for a minute's silence at 8pm.

People are being encouraged to stand on their doorsteps or at their windows and 'light up the night', shining phones, candles or torches to remember someone who has died.

Civic buildings will be lit up in yellow throughout the evening to show support to people going through bereavement.

The evening of reflection will follow a national minute's silence at noon, as the country marks a year since the first coronavirus lockdown was enforced.

The reflections are being organised by Dying Matter Leeds, a partnership with Leeds City Council, the NHS and charities involved in death, dying and bereavement.

It aims to help people talk more openly about death and make plans for the end of life.

Leeds Bereavement Forum ran a virtual death café between 11am and 12.15pm to provide a dedicated space to encourage discussion about death and bereavement.

Council leader Councillor James Lewis said: “There’s absolutely no doubt that Covid-19 has had an enormous impact on all our lives. 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 days ahead. I’d encourage everyone to play their part and find time to pause and reflect for a while.”

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