Each year the NHS Grampian healthcare chaplains organise a service of thanksgiving and remembrance, usually taking place at Queen's Cross Church on the second Sunday in September. This was not possible this year, so the team have recorded a virtual service instead.

Lead chaplain and head of spiritual care Mark Rodgers said: "I know people take a great deal of comfort from our annual service and - in this very different year - we knew we had to take a different approach. The service isn't specifically to remember people who have died from coronavirus - though it may include them - but it is to remember all our loved ones who have died, of any cause, in any of the Grampian hospitals or units in this past year. The service we have recorded will last for about 20 minutes and it is for people of all faiths and none.  

 

"The centre-piece of the service is the lighting of twelves candles for each month of the year by NHS Grampian staff members. Those watching at home will be invited to light a candle at home to coincide with the month their loved one died."

 

"We are keen to get feedback on the format of the service and how people felt it worked for them, as we plan for the other memorial services we hold each year and for our Christmas celebrations."

 

The service will premiere on Sunday 1 November at 3pm and can be accessed in one of the following ways:

 

The NHS Grampian website at chaplaincy 

(there will be details on this page on how to access the service) 

or 

The NHS Grampian YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/c/nhsgrampian 

or 

The NHS Grampian Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/nhsgrampian 

 

The service will be available to watch on-demand after the premiere has ended.