Memorial Connections

When a friend or loved one is grieving, it is natural to want to reach out and support them in some way. Sometimes with the practicalities of everyday life, sometimes just to hold a hand and offer condolences.

I have a friend who is grieving their beloved connection with a person whose grave is too far to visit. In talking through this with another friend, they came up with an idea for visiting graves on behalf of others. When they shared this idea with me I was hooked.

There is a lovely peace about graveyards, I love wandering through them, reading the stones and wondering about the people and families that still remain. So to be there for someone, to hold them in my heart and to bring a connection between them and the person they are grieving is probably the most beautiful way of giving service I can think of.

This is the seed that we hope to grow into a world-wide network of loving connections.

‘Memorial Connections‘ is a loving response to our friend and others who are in a similar position. Whether it is distance, loss of mobility or any other reason that prevents you from visiting a grave or memorial site in person, we are here to help.

We are currently a small group of friends and Interfaith Ministers living in different regions of Scotland who are are willing to connect with you by phone or WhatsApp whilst attending a grave or memorial location on your behalf. We can deliver flowers*, recite a prayer or verse, or just sit quietly – you decide what feels most appropriate.

This is a new service, so although we are restricted by the capacity of our active volunteers, when required we will reach out to trusted friends who may be willing to join our volunteer group. Please use the contact form below to make your request and we will do all we can to support you.

Here’s how it works:-

• Use the Memorial Connections Contact Form below to make your request.
• A private message is sent to our volunteers asking if anyone is willing to visit the area where your loved one is remembered. Your personal details are not shared in this message.
• You will receive a response within 7 days to confirm whether someone is available.
• Some volunteers may need payment for travel expenses. The full cost will be declared and requires your agreement before completing the connection.
• Upon agreement, you will receive a copy of your booking form and the contact number and email address of our volunteer.
• Our volunteer will be informed that you will contact them but will not be given your contact details. Please connect with them as soon as possible to make arrangements for a suitable day and time to attend the memorial.
• If our volunteer has requested payment we may be able to manage the transaction for you*, or providing you both agree you can make your own arrangements directly with the volunteer.
• If the volunteer is unable to connect with you at the agreed time, they will send you a photograph to confirm their attendance at the memorial.
• Where payment transactions are arranged through us, funds will be held until we receive confirmation that our volunteer has visited the memorial. If they are unable to attend unclaimed expenses will be returned to you.*
• Your personal details are only held until the transaction is complete. All records held by Memorial Connections will be deleted when both you and our volunteer are satisfied with the service. Volunteers are required to sign individual consent forms in agreement of this arrangement.

* Please note that flowers and gifts are not provide. You can purchase them yourself and send them directly to the volunteer, or you can ask the volunteer to purchase them for you. Memorial Connections currently does not have provision to manage payment transactions. It is therefore your responsibility to arrange reimbursement of agreed upon expenses directly with the volunteer attending your memorial. Please be aware that some memorial sites are difficult to locate and volunteers may be reliant on your directions to locate and access the memorial at the agreed time. Please ensure that this is possible. Where attempts are made, volunteers requesting travel expenses will still require payment.

~ Memorial Connections Contact Form ~