Camilla Kerslake, gives commuters surprise performance in St. Pancras station

–Musical performances take place across the UK to count down to Day of Reflection –

–Three quarters of people say music has a positive effect on grief–

–Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton voted top song associated with grief –

–Marie Curie's Day of Reflection will take place on Sunday 3 March –

BRIT Award nominated opera singer Camilla Kerslake stunned commuters with a moving rendition of the requiem, Pie Jesu, at the famous Elton John piano at St. Pancras International train station earlier today.

The bestselling soprano brought the busy station to a standstill to mark this weekend's Day of Reflection, a day close to her heart following the death of her grandmother and uncle during the pandemic.

The UK's leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, will lead the nation in the fourth annual Day of Reflection this Sunday 3 March, bringing people together to remember those who died during the pandemic, and to show support to those who were bereaved.

On-lookers were stopped in their tracks during the poignant performance and Kerslake urged people to pause again at midday on Sunday and observe a minute's silence.

Camilla Kerslake, BRIT nominated opera singer said: "My grandma and my uncle didn't have funerals because they died during the pandemic, and I feel there's not been a full stop for them. There wasn't a moment for me to pin my grief to, or a day where our family could come together to celebrate their lives. I find that hard. Reflection can come in many forms, and music in particular can be a powerful trigger for emotion and memory. To be a part of the build up to the Day of Reflection and reach people, who like me are still feeling a great sense of grief, has been an honour. I hope the public will join me on Sunday and take a minute's silence at midday."

In a recent poll1, almost half of those surveyed who experienced the bereavement of a close friend, family member or acquaintance during the pandemic said they are still very much coming to terms with their grief (47%).

The surprise performance at St. Pancras International in the heart of the capital is one of several to have taken place this week across the UK ahead of the Day of Reflection.

Choirs have been conducting surprise recitals at City Hall in Belfast, Cardiff Castle and The National Wallace Monument in Stirling, to remind the public to take a moment to stop, reflect and remember the lives lost and those bereaved.

The series of performances follow new research which reveals that three quarters of adults (75%) said that music has a positive effect on the grieving process.

When asked how people most commonly take a moment to reflect when bereaved, 43%2 of those surveyed cited 'while listening to music', a third (36%) said sitting quietly in reflection and 33% said visiting a location that reminds them of their loved one.

During the first wave of the pandemic, Marie Curie's scaled up its bereavement support in response to the increased need it saw across the UK. The charity cares for people with any illness they are likely to die from. This includes dementia, motor neurone disease and advanced cancer, and its hospice and hospice care at home staff cared for people with Covid-19.

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive, Marie Curie said: "With our fourth Day of Reflection just days away, Marie Curie is urging the nation to take a moment to remember all the people who died during the pandemic and to show support for those who are bereaved. New data has confirmed what we are seeing on the ground. The pandemic endures in the minds of people who were bereaved, and huge swathes of the public are still grieving. Please show your support for them this Sunday, and if you need help with your grief, know that Marie Curie is here for you and ready to talk."

Another recent poll3 also revealed the UK's top ten list of songs people associate with grief, with some of these songs being sung as part of the performances taking place up and down the country this week:

Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton

Time To Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman

Angels – Robbie Williams

Dance with My Father – Luther Vandross

Over the rainbow – Eva Cassidy

You Raise Me Up – Westlife

Someone Like You – Adele

Flying Without Wings – Westlife

Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley

Your Song – Elton John

Marie Curie has published a range of resources to support individuals and organisations wanting to observe the day, including:

An events map at dayofreflection.org.uk to find local events and register your own

A downloadable petal to share the name of someone you're remembering on social media, tagging @mariecurieuk

Bereavement support for anyone who needs it, available from the charity's free support line (0800 090 2309)

A special radio programme Sound Not Silence, hosted by Gaby Roslin, which will focus on the importance of music in grief and will be available to all radio stations on Sunday 3 March and at  dayofreflection.org.uk following the midday silence.

The anniversary of the first UK lockdown, March 23, marked the inaugural Day of Reflection in 2021. This year it moves to the new date of March 3, in line with the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration's recommendation. The day is held each year to remember the people who died during the pandemic, and to show support for those who were bereaved.

Public pianos were launched at St. Pancras International in 2012 when the City of London Festival celebrated its golden anniversary on a grand scale. The pianos have remained available to play ever since, with Elton John also gifting a piano to St. Pancras himself in 2016. The station has become known for regular performances from musicians, talented members of the local area, and even visitors from afar. The station's main Arcade, which is host to the pianos, has become a hub of cultural activity over the years, creating a strong sense of community.

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Notes to Editors

The research was conducted by Opinion Matters. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, headed by Baroness Morgan of Cotes, presented its recommendations in its final report September 2023, including that an annual UK-wide Day of Reflection should be established and held on the first Sunday of March. The Commission worked with bereaved families and key stakeholders to find appropriate ways to remember those who died during the pandemic.

For more information, imagery or film assets, please contact mariecurie@theacademypr.com/ for out of hours media requests please contact media@mariecurie.org.uk or 0845 073 8699

Please note, Marie Curie is not a cancer charity but the UK's leading 'end of life charity'. We care for people with - any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer.

About Marie Curie

Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.

The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live.  It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we're with you to the end.

If you're living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.

Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.