About 100 family members and friends of former Assisi patients and our staff gathered virtually to remember their loved ones who had passed on. This first virtual Interfaith Memorial Service was broadcasted on the Assisi YouTube channel on 22 May. There were also 400 family and friends who tuned in after the broadcast.
Though we could not gather physically, we were together in spirit to celebrate life and embrace and honour shared memories. Loved ones of former patients shared their memories through precious photos and heartfelt words which were presented as a photo montage, and the husband of a former patient and our colleague shared their experiences of journeying with our patients in their final lap. Prayers and words of comfort by religious leaders from five different faiths – Buddhist, Muslim, Taoist, Hindu and Christian, provided encouragement to all the caregivers.
We started our first Interfaith Memorial Service in 2005, holding it every four months for caregivers and staff in remembrance of patients who had passed on. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were unable to gather physically last year. We are glad to be able to gather once more virtually to remember our loved ones.
