Grieving Leeds family helps create online memorial videos for others

Siblings Emma Abraham, Louise Julian and Mark Julian lost their mum Sue Julian, 74, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic from a chronic lung condition and were devastated to discover they could not attend her funeral at Rawdon Crematorium due to coronavirus restrictions.

Emma, 43, said: "We knew that Mum’s illness was terminal, but we still felt unprepared when she died.

"As well as losing a loved one, our grief was impacted further because we were unable to say our final goodbyes in person and give mum the funeral she had planned."

But she said they were determined to celebrate the grandmother-of-four's life with the rest of the family and many friends who would have wanted to be there to pay their respects.

“We gathered together lots of photos and memories and combined it with some of mum’s favourite poems and pieces of music to create an online video montage of her life.

"We sent out private invitations to family and friends for them to join us online for a virtual service at the time her actual service was taking place at the crematorium, albeit without family.

“Although we were unable to be there in person, it did give us an element of closure and an opportunity to celebrate what she meant to us all and say our final goodbyes."

The family is now working with St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown - where Sue, of Bramhope, received care for a number of years - to help other families in creating personal memorial videos.

Up until this week, families in Leeds have only been able to attend the crematoria grounds and view the coffin being moved from the hearse into the chapel if they wish.

Now, chapels have reopened but the number of mourners allowed inside is restricted to ten to ensure social distancing.

Emma, who is currently on furlough from marketing agency Bonner and Hindley, is also working with fellow furloughed colleagues on the videos.

Sophia Last, senior fundraiser at St Gemma's, said: “It is always deeply saddening when we lose a loved one, even if it is expected.

"The restrictions that the coronavirus has put upon us all has made this deeply personal and sad time for families even harder as they are unable to attend a funeral.

"We are incredibly grateful to Emma, her family and fellow furloughed colleagues for offering to create memorial videos for families, so that they can hold their own service of celebration as a way to say goodbye during this very difficult time.”

Grieving families can have their own memorial video for a suggested donation of £250 - the cost for someone facing a terminal illness to attend the hospice's day services for a day.

Sophia added: "This is only a suggested amount as we know how much this would mean for families facing a bereavement at this difficult time, you can contribute whatever you are able to afford.”

Almost three-quarters of St Gemma's annual running costs are met through donations and fundraising but, along with hospices across Leeds and England, the Covid-19 lockdown has forced the closure of its shops and cancelled many of the planned fundraising events this summer..

To donate to the hospices visit https://www.st-gemma.co.uk/onlinedonationTo find out more on the virtual services, contact Sophie on 0113 306 9170 or email [email protected].

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