What is Bereavement Matters Season?
Bereavement Matters Season is a new annual season of remembrance, awareness and support, taking place throughout November and December.
Created by AtaLoss it invites churches, charities and communities to shine a light on the realities of grief, remember those who have died, and help people facing bereavement to find timely support.
The season will seek to build upon and enhance the various grief and bereavement themes and opportunities throughout the period, including Remembrance Sunday, Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, Children’s Grief Awareness Week, National Grief Awareness Week, and the lead-up to Christmas, which can be a particularly difficult time for bereaved people.
For churches, Bereavement Matters Season is an opportunity to offer visible, compassionate and practical support in the heart of local communities.
Simple ways your church can take part
2026 is the first Bereavement Matters Season and we are inviting churches to help make it visible in their communities.
Your church can have an impact however you choose to take part. Even one act of remembering, one clear signpost to support, or one opportunity for people to gather and remember can help people facing bereavement know they are not alone and that support is available.
Join us at St Paul’s Cathedral
Attend or share the invitation to our 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, 30th October 2026. The service is open to anyone who would like to remember someone important to them, stand alongside people facing bereavement, or support the work of AtaLoss.
Mark Bereavement Matters Season in your church
Display the Bereavement Matters Heartsease motif on your social media and printed materials during November and December as a visible sign of support.
The Heartsease Pansy has long symbolised remembrance, thoughtfulness and comfort for a troubled heart. For churches, it is a gentle sign of our Christian calling to come alongside people in grief with compassion and hope.
Download the Heartsease Bereavement Matters motif.
Purple is also the church colour for remembrance and reflection and is the colour for the Bereavement Matters Season.
You could place a purple candle on display, light your building in purple, use purple fabric, or encourage people to wear purple during a service or event.
At very least, please sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page and share our social media to generate support.
Help people remember and find support
Create opportunities for people in your community to remember those who have died and find support.
You could:
hold a Remembrance, memorial, All Souls’ or Blue Christmas service
invite people to light candles, write names or messages, or tie white and purple ribbons as part of a 'remembering installation'
signpost people to AtaLoss.org from your website, services, newsletters and events
run The Bereavement Journey® before or after Christmas
Signpost people to national and local bereavement support through AtaLoss.org on your website, in services, newsletters and events
Support the work of AtaLoss
Bereavement Matters Season is also an opportunity to raise funds for AtaLoss so that more bereaved people can find timely support.
Your church could:
take a collection at a bereavement-related service
make AtaLoss a beneficiary of your carol service or Christmas collections
hold a fundraising coffee morning, concert, quiz or community event
take part in the AtaLoss Armband Challenge to raise funds and start conversations about grief and support
Whatever you decide please get in touch to let us know what you have planned at info@lossandhope.org.
