Co-op Funeralcare colleagues in Street are encouraging people in the area to take part in the National Day of Reflection on March 23 and will be proudly displaying yellow pinwheel daffodils in the funeral home in the lead up to the day of remembrance.

The National Day of Reflection has been established by end-of-life charity, Marie Curie, to encourage people to take time to connect and support the millions of people who are grieving and to remember the family, friends, and colleagues that have been lost during the pandemic. At 12 noon, Marie Curie is encouraging people right across the country to take part in a minute's silence to commemorate those who have passed away, to reflect on their lives and achievements and to reflect on the challenges the UK has overcome as a nation.

To support the initiative, Co-op Funeralcare colleagues, who were at the forefront of the crisis caring for the bereaved and their loved ones, are set to display yellow daffodils in funeral home windows in the run up to the event in a nod to the iconic flower traditionally associated with the charity. Homes will also be hosting Walls of Reflection whereby anyone who has lost a loved one, in whatever circumstances, can come into the home and write a message to commemorate their life.

Samantha Tyrer, managing director, Co-op Funeralcare, said: ''The National Day of Reflection is something that is incredibly important to my colleagues across Co-op Funeralcare, and I know they will be taking great pride in displaying yellow daffodils at our funeral homeshere in Street as we all mark this year's second anniversary. As front-line workers throughout the pandemic, they cared for and supported grieving families during times of devastating loss, all under the most extraordinary of circumstances."

''We are encouraging people in Street to take a moment to pause and remember lost loved ones on March 23. It's important that as a nation we come together to take a moment to remember those who have passed away, to honour their memory and to ensure that people feel able to talk about their grief. We feel passionately that nobody should have to go through grief alone, and Co-op Funeralcare colleagues work hard in our local communities to ensure that the bereaved are getting the support they need.''

Michelle Martin, director of development and communities at Marie Curie, said: "Coming together for the National Day of Reflection is one way we can all support each other and reflect on the death of a family member, friend or colleague. We hope local communities embrace the day, whether holding the minute's silence at midday, wearing a Marie Curie daffodil pin, or in another way. Taking this time to connect will, we hope, bring comfort to everyone, and especially to those Co-op Funeralcare colleagues who have worked tirelessly and in the most difficult of circumstances over the last two years."