Book of remembrance launched for all those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Remember Me, an online memorial for those in the UK – of all faiths, beliefs or none – who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• HRH The Prince of Wales lends his support to the unique project
• A physical memorial to be created at St Paul’s Cathedral
• The choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral have recorded a special anthem for the book of remembrance.

St Paul’s Cathedral today launches Remember Me, an online book of remembrance for all those who have been living in the UK who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. People of all faiths, beliefs or none are invited to contribute to Remember Me.

HRH The Prince of Wales has recorded a video message in support of the project. His Royal Highness said: “This virtual book of remembrance is here to help us remember; not just to recall our loss and sorrow, but also to be thankful for everything good that those we have loved brought into our lives, and all that they have given to others.”

From Friday 22 May 2020, family, friends and carers of those who have died can submit, free of charge, the name, photograph and a short message in honour of a deceased person via the Remember Me website. The deceased person must have been living in the UK. Remember Me will be open for entries for as long as needed.

To launch the project, the choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral have recorded a special piece of music to serve as an anthem for the book of remembrance.

The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Very Reverend David Ison, said: “’For centuries, St Paul’s Cathedral has been a place to remember the personal and national impact of great tragedies, from the losses of war to the devastation of the Grenfell Tower fire. We have heard so many sad stories of those affected by the pandemic, and all our thoughts and prayers are with them. Every person is valued and worthy of remembrance.

“We are all experiencing the devastating impacts of COVID-19 across the country and beyond. Remember Me is an opportunity to mourn every person we have lost to the effects of this terrible disease, an encouragement to offer compassion and support to those left behind, and an ongoing recognition of the impact of the pandemic on the UK.”

Remember Me Case study:

Oliver Caroe, Surveyor of the Fabric to St Paul’s Cathedral (a role which Sir Christopher Wren famously held)

Oliver’s mother, Mary, sadly passed away aged 81 due to Covid-19 on 5 April. A committed Christian, among many other interests, she was a GP, a family planning doctor and a police surgeon in which role she helped found a rape and sexual abuse suite for Surrey Police.

In later life, Mary became best known as a “formidable custodian” – as The Daily Telegraph put it – of Vann Garden in Surrey. The garden was designed by Victorian horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll and was adored by Mary, who became an expert on Jekyll.

Oliver, who paid tribute to the “amazing” and “remarkable” NHS staff who looked after his mother, also recalled Mary’s “huge range of friendships” which spanned the UK and the globe, describing her as a “bringer together”.

“She could appear rather formidable, but she had the most amazing way of keeping in touch and nurturing deep, lasting friendships with a vast number of people, who have not been able to say any farewell,” he said.

Due to the nature of the novel coronavirus disease, the vast majority of Mary’s family and friends were not able to see her during the final period of her storied, creative and loving life. And since her generation (of 70 and 80-year-olds) are in the government’s at-risk category, many of Mary’s loved ones weren’t able to attend her funeral. For Oliver, the Remember Me memorial will help them and others as they grieve.

“It’s really profound how the virus impacts us all in our daily lives, but especially for the unwell and the bereaved. Many people will have had no time to reflect, to give thanks or remember,” he said.  “When my mum was sent off in an ambulance, we feared we would never see her again.  Not having any of the closeness, face to face conversations or rituals that you would normally have in place with someone over their last days adds to the deep emotional impact. We have also found it so hard that we have not known or been able to thank the huge number of NHS nurses and doctors who cared for mum; there are so many emotions that have no outlet”.

For Oliver, the Remember Me memorial is also about a brighter, hopeful future. “Looking ahead is really important,” he said. “As a country, in due time we will have some great events of remembrance and thanksgiving. It’s also important for us that my mother’s friends and family will eventually come together and have a humdinger of a party in her honour. In the meantime, I hope the Remember Me memorial will help us all look ahead, past the immediate, painful horizon, in hope.”

Messages of support from Faith Leaders for St Paul’s Virtual Book of Remembrance

From The Very Revd Dr David Ison 17^th May 2020

Bishop of London:

In my work as a priest and formerly as a nurse, I have been privileged to spend time with the dying and those who grieve. The loss and devastation we face at this time, as a nation and as a world community, cannot be measured. People of all faiths, beliefs and philosophies stand united in grief. This Memorial Book will be a place where individual losses are named and grief can be held in the solidarity of shared heartbreak. May those who have died be embraced into new life by the God who is no stranger to suffering. May we too find healing and strength in that Love.

Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster:

Lord, we commend to your love and mercy those who have died. Their names have been placed, lovingly, in this Book of Remembrance, that they may never be forgotten but held always in our prayers.

 

Harun Rashid Khan, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain:

‘From God we come and to Him we return’. This is a profound statement in the Quran that Muslims are asked to recite upon hearing news of a death. It is a testament that has been made far too many times in recent weeks.

The coronavirus has shaken our lives and reminded us of the frailty of life itself. It affirms how we humans must overcome our differences as we rely on each other.

In our common religious literature we are told: ‘Whoever saves one life it would be as if they saved the life of all mankind.’

At this time of grief, we therefore cherish our NHS staff and key workers who take care of the ailing. We commend the work of all places of worship, charities and volunteers jumping at the chance to help those in need.

 

Imam Qari Muhammad Asim MBE, Chair of the Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board:

Words cannot adequately express what so many families are feeling at this time of the pandemic and my sincere sympathy is with all those who have so tragically lost loved ones.

I ask God, the Most Merciful, to heal our souls, lead us in these extremely challenging times and comfort us in times of abject fear and anxiety.

I  offer the deepest thanks to our magnificent frontline workers for their unyielding efforts and remarkable sacrifices in this time of national emergency. It makes us proud to witness the strong sense of community and the British spirit of ‘never giving up’ in the face of such adversity.”

 

Professor Mashood Baderin, Muslim Association of Nigeria UK

Many people globally, including members of our own religious community are currently undergoing deep pains for the loss of loved ones to the Covid-19 pandemic. In most cases, this is exacerbated by the inability to be with loved ones in their last moments.

Our community therefore joins hands with other faiths at this time to express consolation to the world, particularly to those who are grieving due to the loss of loved ones, and we pray to Allah to heal the world collectively and individually now and always. For the lives we have lost, we pray that they rest in peace, and for those of us still living we pray for Allah’s continued mercies to enable us work together to overcome these difficult times and to be able to help the most vulnerable amongst us. We pray for our front-line workers, health workers and all essential and emergency support workers, thanking everyone for all their efforts in trying to bring our world back to normalcy.

Imam Mohammad Mahmoud OBE, East London Mosque

I was delighted to hear about your initiative to set up a Virtual Book of Remembrance, in honour of those who have died as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. So many in our society are grieving, and have not been able to give full expression to that grief owing to restrictions on burial rituals. This is particularly true of the Muslim community, where Covid-19 related deaths have been in alarmingly high proportion.
My community and I stand fully behind this initiative, and the spirit of honouring life which it represents. By honouring each individual life through this initiative, we will be honouring the entirety of humanity.

Dr Akber Mohamedali, President of The Council of European Jamaats:

As British Shia Muslims, we are united in our grief and solidarity with everyone across the country who has lost loved ones during this pandemic. Now, more than ever before, faith and non-faith communities must rally around one another. We have already seen remarkable acts of grassroots generosity from across society. We have also witnessed countless Muslims leading the efforts to combat Covid-19; from the tireless NHS Staff, to the Supermarket workers, delivery drivers, and of course mosques and burial and bereavement teams.

Imam Ali teaches that ‘A person is either your brother in faith or equal in humanity’. We are all united in the face of suffering and sorrow. A book of remembrance that pays tribute to those who tragically lost their lives is a welcome initiative, providing solace to families and memorialising the stories of the thousands who have sadly left us.

 

Sayed Yousif Al-Khoei OBE, Director of Public Affairs at the Al-Khoei Foundation:

The COVID-19 epidemic is a historic milestone, bringing together the nation and communities in grief. I fully support St Paul’s Virtual Book of Remembrance in memory of all victims of COVID-19. We are proud of all the frontline heroes who sacrifice to save others. Muslim and BAME are among the hardest hit, from NHS doctors to supermarket shelf stackers, to bus drivers and local shop keepers. We are coming together to pray, grief and remember.

Let us also remember victims from around the world bearing the brunt of this deadly virus. Those living in crowded refugee camps, under the shadow of war, and religious minorities neglected due to systematic discrimination. Let this time of difficulty be a time of togetherness of the nation and humanity as a whole.

 

Umesh Sharma JP,   Chair of the Hindu Council UK:

Our nation is going through a very uncertain, difficult and painful time. But this pain is at its extreme when families can not say a proper farewell to their loved ones who have died as a result of the pandemic.

At this time of national grief, St Paul’s has come out with an excellent and thoughtful initiative to set up a Virtual Book of Remembrance for the Nation for those who died as a result of the Pandemic.

Hindu Council UK fully supports this very thoughtful and creative step taken by St Paul’s. I am particularly encouraged to notice people of all faiths or no faith can express their messages. This initiative is in line with fundamental Hindu Philosophy stated in the phrase: VASUDEV KUTAMKAM, ‘The whole world is one family.’

 

Jasvir Singh OBE, a Director of the City Sikhs Network:

Many have lost loved ones during the pandemic, and because of lockdown it has been incredibly hard for us to mourn as we normally would. The Virtual Book of Remembrance is an important initiative as it allows us to remember those we have lost and to grieve collectively. We remain united and connected as a nation in these challenging times, and the Virtual Book is a timely reminder that physical distancing is not a barrier when it comes to supporting one another following a bereavement. City Sikhs fully supports this initiative.

 

“As we commence the gradual process of grieving as a nation for the many thousands who have lost their lives to the Coronavirus, this new virtual memorial provides a timely and meaningful outlet for that to begin to take place. I hope that this focal point for our collective grief also generates a measure of comfort for the loved ones of the deceased, enabling them to record their recollections for posterity. May the memories of those inscribed in this commemorative space be for a blessing.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

 

Non-Religious Supportive Quotes

Lord Mayor of London William Russell said: “This is a thoughtful initiative from St. Pauls. It provides an opportunity for us all to come together in one place and offer our thoughts of remembrance to all those who have suffered during this time. Many families have lost relatives, many people have lost their dearest friends and, because of the necessary social distancing required, grieving has been made more complicated than normal. Ideas like this allow us to support each other through this unusual time and I am proud to see that St. Pauls – which I and everyone in the City of London is incredibly proud of – is at the emotional forefront, in this gentle and generous way.”

Sir Lloyd Dorfman, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, said: “It is a privilege and an honour to be supporting this much needed inter-faith initiative from St Paul’s Cathedral. It will enable family, friends and loved ones from every corner of the Country to memorialise those who have so tragically passed away due to the effects of Covid-19. For all those we have lost, of all faiths and none, it is especially powerful coming from St Paul’s Cathedral for all that it symbolises historically. This “Remember Me” campaign will ensure they are not forgotten.” 

 

“Our family has been touched by how the ‘Yellow Hearts to Remember’ community has provided great support and solace to so many people across the country at such a difficult time. We welcome all initiatives that provide such support to families and friends who have lost loved ones.

The ‘Remember Me’ online memorial is a fantastic way to continue the message the ‘Yellow Hearts to Remember’ initiative was founded upon- that our relatives are not just numbers, but people, all of whom have families and friends who are grieving for them. Anything that gives comfort to people at this difficult time is to be welcomed and we hope that this new online and physical memorial will provide families with an enduring place to remember and celebrate the lives of those we love and so sadly have died too soon.”

-The Gompertz Family