Religious Leaders back ‘National Day of Reflection’

Religious leaders from across different faiths have asked the public to join them in a national day to remember those who have died from any cause during the pandemic – being held on Tues 23 March - and to show support for everyone who has been bereaved.

Spearheaded by the charity Marie Curie and supported by the Together Coalition, over 200 organisations are already behind the National Day of Reflection and today 82 prominent leaders from religious groups including the Buddhist Society, British Sikh Nurses, Professional Women of Faith, Catholic Union, the Islamic Society of Britain, the Church of England, Commonwealth Jewish Council and Interfaith Matters have signed an open letter backing the day.

"As faith leaders we know how important the ability to grieve properly is and how high the cost will be of our inability to do that. While we can't turn back time, we can build opportunities to mourn as a nation. That's why this Tuesday (23 March) – on the anniversary of the first lock down – we are asking the nation to join us in doing two things. To take a minute to reflect by taking part in the nationwide silence at noon, and then take a moment to connect; to reach out to someone you know is grieving and who might like your support.

"Each person we remember on this Day is special, loved by us and by God. We can't fully take away the pain felt over the last year, but we can take a moment to reflect and to connect with others to remind ourselves that we are there for each other."

Julie Siddiqui, founder of Together we Thrive, who coordinated the letter said:
"As people of faith embedded in our communities, we have seen first-hand the scale of the loss over the past year. We have comforted so many who have lost so much.

"As a society we can't fix that now, but we can make clear that we hold them in our hearts and prayers. That's why this day is so crucial. A signal that we care about each other's loses, but also encouragement to reach out and provide whatever healing balm we can. One of the few positives to come out of this crisis has been feeling more connected to our communities - if we are to deal with this new epidemic of grief we must now build on that."

The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London, said:
"This pandemic has taken so much from so many of us. Not just our loved ones, but our ability to grieve in our normal ways, surrounded by friends and family. But alongside all of the pain, the pandemic has also given us something, a renewed sense of community and a sense that we are looking out for each other. On the 23rd of March please join us in marking both of these. Reflecting on those we have lost, but also reaching out to connect with those who have survived and will need our support and love in the coming weeks and months."

The National Day of Reflection is being held on 23 March 2021 - the anniversary of the UK going into the first national lockdown. As part of the day the public are being encouraged to do two things; to join a minute's silence at 12 noon and take a moment to reach out to someone they know is grieving. The day will also be marked by bells tolling at 12:01, and prominent buildings and iconic landmarks will light up at 8pm across the UK.

Since the pandemic began, many have been unable to say goodbye or grieve properly. The growing movement of charities, faith groups, member organisations, businesses and politicians who are supporting the day hope that it will allow people to remember those who have died, both from coronavirus and other causes, and bring people together to pause, reflect and support each other, as we look with hope to the future.

Full Letter – signed by 82 religious leaders (list of signatories in editors' notes)

When we think of death, we think about faces we won't see again, voices we won't hear, people we will miss. We think of our own losses and grief. But during this crisis we have become used to talking about death through numbers.

The scale of our losses make that understandable - but for each individual death there is a circle of grief and loss. Over 125,000* people have died over the last year with Covid -19 and in all 650,000 people have died during this period. Each and every one will have loved ones, colleagues, friends and families grieving for their loss. While the numbers help us understand the scale of what we are experiencing collectively, they give us no understanding of the depth and meaning of each loss.

The grief felt by so many - no matter what the cause - has been made even harder to bear by our inability to grieve and celebrate a life collectively.

For many they have not been able to be there with those they loved and cared for at the end of their lives. We haven't been able to comfort with a hug or mark a death with the full rituals of our cultures and faiths.

As faith leaders we know how important the ability to grieve properly is and how high the cost will be of our inability to do that. While we can't turn back time, we can build opportunities to mourn as a nation. That's why this Tuesday (23 March) – on the anniversary of the first lock down – we are asking the nation to join us in doing two things. To take a minute to reflect by taking part in the nationwide silence at noon, and then take a moment to connect; to reach out to someone you know is grieving and who might like your support.

Each person we remember on this Day is special, loved by us and by God. We can't fully take away the pain felt over the last year, but we can take a moment to reflect and to connect with others to remind ourselves that we are there for each other.

The National Day

The National Day of Reflection, which the movement hopes will become an annual event, will see; a nationwide minute of silence at 12 noon, followed by bells tolling at 12:01, and prominent buildings and iconic landmarks will light up at 8pm across the UK.

Alongside this will be community-led initiatives such as virtual reflective assemblies, choirs, special services, candle and lantern lighting on doorsteps, yellow ribbons wrapped around trees, and many other commemorative activities that will bring people together – in adherence with social distancing rules.

On the day, there will be a series of free online talks and conversations featuring expert panels, bereaved families and celebrities throughout the afternoon of 23 March, produced by the Good Grief Festival.2

To find out more about the National Day of Reflection visit dayofreflection.org.uk
#DayofReflection

-Ends-

Notes to editor

For more information about the National Day of Reflection, or interview requests, please contact: Marie Curie Press office on 0845 073 8699 media@mariecurie.org.uk.

Full list of signatories:

Aamer Naeem, Global Peace Commissioner, Peace Train
Rabbi Alex Goldberg, Dean of Religious Life and Belief, University of Surrey
Anthony and Gill Cotterill, Leaders of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland
Imam Qari Asim, Chair, Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
Dr Bilal Hassam, Founder, The Muslim Agency
The Revd Bonnie Evans-Hills, Scottish Episcopal Church
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO, Liberal Judaism
The Rt Revd Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth
Clive Lawton, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Jewish Council
Rabbi Daniel Epstein, Western Marble Arch Synagogue
Revd David Butterworth, Interfaith Chaplain, NEC Birmingham
Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE, Westminster Abbey
The Very Revd Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral
Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, Principal, Leo Baeck College
Dr Desmond Biddulph CBE, President, Buddhist Society
Dilwar Hussain, Assistant Professor, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University
Dr Ed Kessler MBE, Founder Director, The Woolf Institute
Elaine Robinson, Principal, Sir Manasseh Meyer International School
Faeeza Vaid MBE, Muslim Women's Network
Dr Farah Ahmed , NHS GP and Social Commentator
Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff
Hashim Norat, Founder, Gloucester Feed The Hungry
Hasina Zaman, Director, Compassionate Funerals
Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal MBE DL MPhil Chair, Nisa-Nashim Jewish and Muslim Women's Network
Dr Hina Shahid, Chair, Muslim Doctor's Association
Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Imam and Chaplain
Ilknur Kahrahman, Dialogue Society and Rumi Mosque
Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon CBE, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO)
Jawaahir Dahir , Chair of Somali Development Services and Global Somali Diaspora
Jill Rowe, Ethos and Formation Director, Oasis Community Learning
Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence
The Most Reverend John Davies, Archbishop of Wales
Revd Jonathan Mead, Methodist Minister
Baroness Julia Neuberger
Julie Siddiqi MBE, Founder, Together We Thrive
Karen Murphy, Chaplain and Spiritual Lead, Weston Hospice Care
Kartar Singh, Lead Chaplain, St Andrews Heathcare
Dr Khalid Anis MBE, Islamic Society of Britain
Dr Kiran Rahim NHS Doctor, British Islamic Medical Association
Dr Kishwar Sultana, GP and Director of Andalus, Glasgow
Krish Raval OBE Director, Faith In Leadership
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism
Laura Marks OBE, Interfaith Consultant and Founder of Mitzvah Day
Liz Carnelly, Director of Partnerships, Near Neighbours
Lorraine O'Connor, Muslim Sisters of Eire
Mahshid Turner, Chaplain, Co-chair of Durham University BAME Network
Mandeep Kaur Moore, Professional Women of Faith
Marie Van Der Zyl, President, Board of Deputies of British Jews
Revd Mark Burleigh, Head of Chaplaincy at University Hospitals, Leicestershire
Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Rt Revd Martin Gorick , Bishop of Dudley
Martyn Watson, Interfaith Forum, London
Maurice Ostro OBE, Faiths Forum for London
Dr May Moonan, Assistant Director for Healthcare, Public Helath Salford
Micky Youngson, Chair of the London District, Methodist Church
Dr Mohammed Abbas Khaki, GP, Writer and Broadcaster, Charity Trustee
Dr Muna Abdel Aziz, Director, Public Health for Salford
Pundit Naresh Saraswat, Head Priest, Slough Hindu Temple
Dr Nasima Hassan, Director of Faith and Character Education, Star Academies
Dr Natubhai Shah MBE, Chair and CEO, Jain Network
The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds
Nicky Goldman, Jewish Volunteering Network
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain
Rabiha Hannan,Trustee, New Horizons in British Islam
The Rt Revd Robert Hamilton, The New Wellwynd Parish, Church of Scotland
Rohit Sagoo, British Sikh Nurses
The Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury
Saidat Oketunde, Founder, Faith Women Community UK
The Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, Head of Welcome and Life Events, Church of England
Sanjay Vadhera Trustee, Sewa Day
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London
Sayyed Musawi, World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL)
Shabir Randeree CBE, Chancellor of the University of East London
Shahda Khan MBE, Social Justice Campaigner, Teeside
Shelley Marsh, Executive Director, Reshet
Revd Steve Chalke MBE, Founder, Oasis Charitable Trust
Steve Derby, Director, Interfaith Matters
Dr Tamra Wright, Visiting Research Fellow, St Benet's Hall, Oxford
Revd Dr Tom Wilson, Director, St Philips Centre Leicester
Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to Speaker of the House of Commons
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales
Zara Mohammed, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain
Dr Zaza Johnson Elsheikh, Director, Belief In Mediation and Arbitration

- In a separate blog and film, leaders from several faiths and beliefs have shared their personal views on why taking time to reflect on the year we've had matters so deeply.

- See full list of supporting organisations here: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/day-of-reflection/partners

- See virtual events and talks here: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/day-of-reflection/talks

About the National Day of Reflection - A day to reflect, grieve and remember – 23 March 2021
The National Day of Reflection on 23 March 2021 marks the first anniversary of the date that the first lockdown started. Over 6 million people have been bereaved since the first lockdown began. Behind the statistics and whatever the cause, every death has been devastating for their loved ones. Many of those bereaved have not been able to hold loved one's hands as they were dying, properly say goodbye, comfort or even hug each other. They have been unable to mourn as they would in 'normal' times and will be more likely to struggle with the long-term effects of grief.
The National Day of Reflection will give the nation and communities a moment to remember, grieve and celebrate everyone who has died during this time and show support for our families, friends and colleagues who are grieving. The day is being led by Marie Curie and has been developed in partnership with other organisations who will get involved as part of a movement to support each other.
www.mariecurie.org.uk/dayofreflection
#DayOfReflection

About Marie Curie
Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity. The charity provides frontline nursing and hospice care, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement. Marie Curie is committed to sharing its expertise to improve quality of care and ensuring that everyone has a good end of life experience. The charity believes it is important to talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement to improve experiences at end of life and to help reduce the lasting effects of grief. The National Day of Reflection provides an opportunity for the Nation to reflect, remember and celebrate the lives of everyone that has died during these challenging times – from Covid and other causes.
Please note we are 'Marie Curie' (not 'Marie Curie Cancer Care').