Knitted hearts help heal heartache for bereaved

Winsford funeral director Dave Fowles has spoken about the heartache facing families as they are unable to hug and console each other or give their loved ones a church funeral service.

Only a handful of relatives can now attend a graveside burial or cremation, because of social distancing regulations.

To add to the heartache, some relatives have not been able to say goodbye to their loved ones in their final days as they died from Covid-19 in hospital.

"It is heartbreaking because you just seeing families torn apart," said dad-of-three Dave. "It is very hard."

Now, a community craft campaign is showing love and support to the bereaved.

"A lady called Joyce Cooper donated a bag of hearts to leave in our chapel of rest for people to take to remember their loved ones," said Dave, who was inundated with requests for the hearts.

Little knitted love hearts are being knitted by volunteers across Winsford

"We did a plea on social media to see if anyone could help knit new ones and what a response. Knitted and crocheted hearts have been offered by the amazing people of Winsford to support their fellow town folk who have lost people."

Homemade hearts are being posted free by Fowles Funeral Services to all their bereaved families with a poignant poem.

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Homemade love hearts are being posted to bereaved families with a touching poem

"We can't give someone who has lost their mum or dad a hug,"said Dave. "It's hard on families telling them they can't have the send off they would have liked for their loved ones."

"We are trying our best to make things as normal as possible."

Families can still pay personal tributes.

"We're trying our best to make things as normal as possible," said Dave. "We can play music at the graveside. Some families have read poems or had a photo board."

To request a knitted heart email fowlesmemorialhearts@outlook.com