Friday, March 06, 2009

Bereavement pin launched

The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) has launched a bereavement pin to signify the enormity of bereavement.

Pat Kenny was present at the launch and said: “Each person’s loss and their grief journey is unique to them. I lost my mother Connie last October and my family is adjusting to life without her. Death has ended her life but not our relationship with her. We now face the challenge of maintaining a connection to a person who meant so much to her family, friends and community. Many of Ireland’s old traditions had a purpose. This bereavement pin is a modern twist on the tradition of highlighting a loss. It can be used as a reminder to ourselves and others that we are grieving. Even openly acknowledging the loss by wearing the pin may help people to feel less isolated.”

Approximately 30,000 people die each year in Ireland. As at least 10 people are affected by each death, it is estimated that 300,000 people are newly bereaved every year.

Well-known Irish jewelry designer, Alan Ardiff, has designed the silver and black patina Bereavement Pin which features a circle to represent the circle of life. A heart at the centre of the pin reflects loss and our connection to those we love. Some 12 dots around the circle might symbolise time or the community of family, friends and neighbours that can support us in our grief.

Designer Alan Ardiff said: “In designing the IHF’s bereavement pin, I wanted to convey the sense of the strengths and resources that we draw on as we adjust to the loss of someone special. The pin can be used as a connection to the person who has died, a reminder that people are grieving and an outward sign to others that they have suffered a loss.”

Dr Susan Delaney, Bereavement Services Manager with the IHF, noted that people can wear the pin as they wish. Some might wear it every day, others on days of special meaning for them or when their loss is particularly difficult to bear.

The bereavement pin can be worn on the lapel or tie. It can also be used with the various ribbons associated with particular illnesses. The pin will be accompanied by information about the grief process, what to expect in grief and how to cope with grief.

The IHF will distribute the Bereavement Pin, free of charge, to hospices and bereavement groups countrywide.

It will also be available to the public from the IHF and the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau Street, Dublin, at a cost of €20.

The Kilkenny Shop will return the full purchase price to IHF. All profits from the sale of the Pin will support bereavement services in Ireland

The IHF is the national charity which promotes the hospice philosophy and supports the development of hospice and palliative care. Work in the area of bereavement is a core activity for the IHF.

The bereavement pin is the latest in a series of material produced in recent years by the IHF. In 2007, Irish Stories of Loss and Hope was launched. It is a collection of stories, poetry and art from individuals which captures their stories of grief and offers insights into how they coped with their loss.

A series of 12 information leaflets on various aspects of bereavement have also been produced.

They include leaflets on suicide, grieving the deaths of partners and parents as well as three leaflets on children and death.

For information see: www.hospice-foundation.ie

or

www.hse.ie.
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(Source: CIN)