An Airdrie minister’s suggestion of a national day of remembrance honouring all those who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic has gained support from local politicians.
Reverend Robbie Hamilton first began his weekly moment of reflection in April, and has since been joined by his New Wellwynd parishioners in lighting a candle and observing a silence each Sunday evening to remember those who have passed away.
It has now inspired the town’s parliamentarians, Alex Neil MSP and Neil Gray MP, to support his idea for an annual nationwide event; and they plan to write to both the First Minister and Prime Minister asking for their help to make it happen.
Central Scotland representative Richard Leonard has also given his backing to calls for a suitable memorial.
Reverend Hamilton told the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser he is “delighted” by the politicians’ support, and said: “I feel we should be doing something tangible as a nation to offer support to those who have lost a loved one and to respect those who have died.
“We want to recognise all those that this has taken from us nationally, and I think this now helps to get the conversation started about what we could do.
“It would be good to have a time of silence, and traditionally there’s been a period of mourning if something grave happens.
“St Paul’s Cathedral has an online memory book where people can pay respects – we should probably have something nationally, but perhaps local authorities could open online memory books locally as well.
“It’s been a major moment in our lives and is going to take long time for us to get back to any normality; the after-effects will go on from such a difficult time, but one of those has been rediscovering a sense of community and people coming together to offer support which has made such a difference.”
Reverend Hamilton says a national remembering of all those who have died during the pandemic would also provide a comfort to families whose loved ones have had smaller funerals than normal with limited numbers of mourners.
He said: “I’ve conducted 17 funerals since lockdown, and people haven’t been able to have their family and neighbours around them as they usually would, with visitors popping in with cards, flowers, home baking and the kind things that people do.
“Families have cards and calls but not what they would normally have in terms of contact with people; and as a minister, I still can’t get used to not being able to shake hands or give a hug at the end of a service.
“People have tried to do other things, like lining the streets to show support for families in different ways. I’ve invited people to light a candle at 10pm on a Sunday – changing my original idea of from the standing in silence on the doorstep – and a number of the congregation have been doing this too.
“We need to think as a nation about how to reflect; about those who have died of Covid-19 and of those who have died of other things during this time.”
Inspired by Reverend Hamilton’s suggestions, Mr Neil and Mr Gray have now written to both Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson to ask that a national day of mourning be established by the Scottish and UK parliaments.
They have asked that it take place annually, with the first memorial being later this year to honour the 45,000 people across the UK who have died with coronavirus.
Mr Gray said: “The number of people who have sadly lost their lives to this virus is huge; it is only right and proper that they are remembered in some way.
“A national day of mourning is probably the best way to make sure that they are not forgotten and enable us to offer support to the families that suffered and are still suffering from Covid-19.
“We want to let people know they are not alone, that they and their loved ones who are no longer with us are thought about.”
Constituency colleague Mr Neil said of their letters to the First Minister and Prime Minister: “We’re asking them to back this proposal and to encourage everyone to get behind it; and I’m sure that this proposal would also receive the support of all churches and faiths.
“The virus has been indiscriminate in its effects, affecting every community in the land – we should all join together as a united people to remember all the victims who are no longer with us.”
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Scottish Labour leader Mr Leonard is also supporting the call from faith groups and other community organisations for a nationwide day of mourning and remembrance, honouring those who have died and those who have cared for people affected during the pandemic.
He said: “Losing a loved one is difficult in normal circumstances, but in this pandemic has been especially difficult – being unable to visit a dying relative is unimaginable and being unable to have many friends and family at funerals has left many people with feelings of guilt and isolation.
“We need them to know that they are not alone; and we should also never forget the heroic work of our NHS, of care workers and of all of those who have volunteered in their communities, showing compassion and solidarity.
“I will be encouraging the government to support this initiative and will work with them to identify a suitable day. This will give us all an opportunity to come together, stand in support and sympathy with those who have lost a loved one and in solidarity with those who put the care of others before themselves.”
