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Remembering loved ones lost

Posted on November 24, 2009, 4:04pm and updated on November 26, 2009 at 8:23 am

John Deer
People who have lost loved ones in recent years are urged to attend a poignant church service in Mount Gambier on Friday night to reflect on their loss.

Organised by the South East Regional Community Health Service Palliative Care Unit, the non-denominational church service will be held at Christ Church on Bay Road at 7pm.

“This is an opportunity for relatives, friends, volunteers and staff to come together in recognition of those who we have loved and for whom we grieve and have cared for during the year,” palliative care unit bereavement counsellor John Deer (pictured) said.

It will be the 15th year the church service will be held in Mount Gambier.

“The service will be an opportunity for people to reflect on a loved one who has died, which is part of the grief journey,” Mr Deer said.

He said it was important that people who were struggling with the grief process continued to forge connections.

“These connections are vital because it is those connections with family and friends that people need when life gets tough,” Mr Deer said.

He said the church service would be reflective and people would be given the opportunity to light candles in memory of their loved ones.

Mr Deer said light refreshments would also be served after the service for those who wanted to stay and talk to other people.

“But people do not have to stay after the service if they don’t feel up to it,” he said.

“It will be a caring and supportive environment.”

Mr Deer said people never forget or got over the loss of a family member but the church service was one tool in helping people to try and manage their grief process.

“I really encourage people who have lost a loved one to come along,” he said.

Mr Deer said all people who have lost loved ones — not just those who accessed the palliative care service — should come along.

For more information people can call the palliative care coordinator on 8721 1460.

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