The absence of normal rituals to say goodbye to loved ones can have profound impact on the grieivng process.

The latest funeral guidance aims to balance the needs of the bereaved to mourn while limiting the spread of coronavirus.

At the Bournemouth Echo we understand how hard it is for families to grieve and to share the life of a lost loved one with family and friends while observing social distancing guidelines. 

Unimaginable pain in unprecedented times.

If you lose someone you care about during this time, you may be unable to attend their funeral or to remember and celebrate their life in the way you would like to - you may be left feeling you haven't had the chance to say goodbye.

Many families are waiting to hold larger services and gatherings for their loved ones later in the year or even the next, when they hope these darker, restricted days have passed.

In the Bournemouth Echo, we are publishing an Obituaries page every Monday to give families who have placed an announcement with us, the chance to celebrate the life of someone they have lost. 

And while it doesn’t allow for the physical comfort of being together, giving a hug or sharing a drink, an obituary will give your lost loved one the recognition they deserve and shared in our pages and online to reach your wider friends and family.

Alongside the funeral director, chapel attendant, and funeral staff, the number of people permitted to attend are limited to just close family and friends. 

So please, if you would like us to write an obituary for someone you cared about, please follow the link to our obituaries section on our website at bournemouthecho.co.uk/my/ccn/questionnaire/Gb5SewnF/ 

Or email me at karen.bate@bournemouthecho.co.uk