Chapel opens for first of new memorial day events

A chapel will be open this Father's Day to help support people going through grief in the first of a planned new series of memorial day events.

St Bede's Chapel, at Teesside Crematorium in Middlesbrough, will welcome visitors on Sunday for a quiet reflection, with specialist staff also available for those who wish to talk.

It is hoped the new events will be held regularly, including on dates such as Mother's Day and the run up to Christmas.

Middlesbrough Council's bereavement services manager Nicky Raine said the opening of the chapel would help support people in a "calm and peaceful space".

"We know there are days and periods of time where an individual's sense of loss is more challenging," she said.

"The pain and experience of losing someone is different for everyone. People can find grief and loss difficult to talk about.

"Equally, they may not want to talk to us at all. They may just want to sit in that peaceful environment."

The chapel will open from 12:00 to 15:00 BST on Sunday.

Councillor Peter Gavigan, executive member for environment and sustainability, said: "We hope the memorial day can provide some comfort for our community and help people in a small way they will appreciate."

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