Fran Hall
@franfd.bsky.social
66 followers 130 following 40 posts
Volunteer & Trustee at The National Covid Memorial Wall Charity & CEO of the Good Funeral Guide CIC. Still hanging on at the other place in defiance.
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franfd.bsky.social
This is such a cool idea - this book is an incredible, powerful chronology of thoughts, reflections & poetry about an extraordinary time, fast receding into the public’s collective memories.

@amycortvriend.bsky.social
@lucygobag.bsky.social
@jennyedkins.bsky.social
@kandidapurnell.bsky.social
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
We would like to #BuyAStrangerABook - "When This Is Over: Reflections on an Unequal Pandemic," which has a section on the Wall, including a contribution from one of our trustees, @franfd.bsky.social. ❤️
Reposted by Fran Hall
biggreenbooks.bsky.social
It's #buyastrangerabook day!

@covidmemorialwall.bsky.social is offering to buy someone a copy of "When This Is Over : Reflections on an Unequal Pandemic" which has a section on the Wall, including a contribution from a trustee, @franfd.bsky.social

If you'd like a copy, just let us know.

UK only.
Front cover of "When This is Over"
franfd.bsky.social
Dammit, did I miss these???
Reposted by Fran Hall
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
We have only just seen this - we are so grateful for the support of our beautiful memorial. ❤️
dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social
I initiated the 'Parliamentary Coronavirus Quilt' project.

Each block is a representation from MPs highlighting the effects of the pandemic across the UK.

I will publish a photo book about the quilt, donating all profits to support The National Covid Memorial Wall’s preservation.
franfd.bsky.social
This is a beautiful initiative @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social - would love an update on where we can see the quilt?

Thank you so much for offering to donate any proceeds from a book about it to the National Covid Memorial Wall too, that’s lovely of you.

Thank you for your ongoing support 🙏🏻
Reposted by Fran Hall
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
The National Covid Memorial Wall is now a registered charity! ❤️🥳
A picture of the wall taken from Westminster Bridge
Reposted by Fran Hall
goodfuneralguide.bsky.social
Direct cremation.

Such interesting responses to our questionnaire are coming in, reflecting a wide spectrum of thoughts.

Have you had this experience?

Tell us about it here: www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/direct-crema...

#directcremation
A quote on a pale green background. The quote reads: ‘Direct cremation. The words of bereaved people. 

“Someone we know died at the weekend, he was there on Friday and gone when we expected to see him on Monday. With no funeral, we donated to his chosen charity but other than that he just disappeared. I found that really hard and I know other people did too.” A quote on a pale beige background. The quote reads: ‘Direct cremation. The words of bereaved people. 

“Easy. Simple. Fuss-free. Meant I could plan a decent memorial rather than be held to outdated and rigid social constructions of funerals unchanged since the Victorian times.”
A quote on a pale green background. The quote reads: ‘Direct cremation. The words of bereaved people. 

“We were hoping to light a candle or visit a church to remember silently but we were not told that my dad’s body had been taken to the crematorium and he had been cremated.”
A quote on a pale beige background. The quote reads: ‘Direct cremation. The words of bereaved people. 

“We were comfortable with our choice and after we marked the time, carried on to work.”
Reposted by Fran Hall
goodfuneralguide.bsky.social
Dogs at funerals - we love to see them!

When you’re saying goodbye to someone you love and a dog is part of your family, bringing them to the funeral can help everyone.

#funerals
#funeralsmatter
#dogsarefamily
A young woman, a man and a blonde woman in a blue suit sitting in a pew at a crematorium, with a small pale cream dog sitting next to them. A black Patterdale terrier wearing a red coat standing on its hind legs with its head against a grey woollen coffin in the back of a black hearse. Two women and a man are smiling as they look at the dog.
Reposted by Fran Hall
loreleiking.bsky.social
Thank you to journalist Emma Beddington for acknowledging that covid grief is complex, that the covid bereaved - having been deprived of normal mourning rituals - are not ready, may never be ready, to 'celebrate'.
Reposted by Fran Hall
goodfuneralguide.bsky.social
The weight of grief.

Carrying the coffin of someone you love.

They are your person, and if you want to do this, then you can.

Bearing the weight of your person in their coffin can help to imprint the reality of their death as you begin to navigate life without them.

Funerals matter.
Four people casually dressed carefully holding a grey woollen coffin in their hands overseen by a man in a grey suit. They are in front of a large window overlooking the grounds of a crematorium.
Reposted by Fran Hall
goodfuneralguide.bsky.social
That last touch - such a powerful moment.

Sometimes, people feel unsure about what’s allowed or what’s appropriate at a funeral.

It’s absolutely ok to touch the coffin, to let your hand linger as you say goodbye to your person.

#funeralsmatter
Two witw women’s hands touching a cardboard coffin with rope handles, decorated with pictures, with a bouquet of wildflowers on top. A child’s hand touching a cream felt shroud. A white man’s hand touching a grey woollen coffin. On top of the coffin is a red mug, a teddy bear and a green and grey rucksack. Two hands touching a small, cream coloured woollen coffin.
Reposted by Fran Hall
loreleiking.bsky.social
A good day with some of my fellow @covidmemorialwall.bsky.social volunteers - Kirsten, Gill, @franfd.bsky.social, and @rum7.bsky.social. After an encouraging meeting with DCMS about the future of the wall, we took ourselves off for a bevvie and a debrief. There may have been halloumi chips. #london
Gill and Kirsten sitting at a pub table. The pub is old-fashioned, with ornate wood pillars and panelling.. Fran laughing at something offscreen. Michelle and me, each wearing a red heart badge or brooch.
Reposted by Fran Hall
goodfuneralguide.bsky.social
Direct Cremation.

A rapidly growing alternative to a funeral that is heavily marketed on daytime TV, yet there is little research into how bereaved people feel about it.

We have created an anonymous questionnaire which can be found here:

www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/direct-crema...

Please share!
An empty crematorium with a simple coffin on the catafalque
Reposted by Fran Hall
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
It's hard to believe how faded the hearts were before the Friends of the Wall stepped up to restore them. Our covid dead will never be forgotten. ❤️ #ThrowbackThursday
An older photo showing the memorial wall covered with painted hearts faded to the palest pink. A woman in a red coat stands in front of the wall, touching photographs strung along the top.
Reposted by Fran Hall
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
Volunteer @franfd.bsky.social read this beautiful, difficult poem at the wall during our anniversary event on Saturday. ❤️ #ForOurHusbands
loreleiking.bsky.social
"I take you
From this day forward,
To love and to miss,
For better or for worse,
For emptiness or joyful memory,
In sadness and in grief,
Even after death has made us part.
I take you as my husband
In death as I did in life,
Because our love is forever." – Kelly Rooper
A bunch of dark pink pink roses in a grey vase in front of a gravestone. The ground in front of it is covered in roses and rose petals.
Reposted by Fran Hall
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
This is an incredibly difficult weekend for the millions of people in the UK who are bereaved by covid. ❤️
Reposted by Fran Hall
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
We're in love with the drone footage of our #DayOfReflection event (taken by the amazing Tolga Akmen) - for those who couldn't be there, here's a bird's eye view. ❤️
franfd.bsky.social
Just gorgeous ❤️
Reposted by Fran Hall
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
We are devastated at this news. We send our deepest sympathies to Ondine's family and friends and to all at @longcovidsos.bsky.social for the loss of this inspirational, brave warrior. ❤️
longcovidsos.bsky.social
We are heartbroken to share the loss of our co-founder, CEO, and beloved friend, Ondine, who passed away on Tuesday 11th March.

Longcovidsos.org/post/ondine-sherwood
A black background with centered white text. The heading reads, “In Honour of Ondine Sherwood.” The message states that Long Covid SOS is heartbroken to share the loss of their co-founder, CEO, and beloved friend, Ondine, who passed away on Tuesday, 11th March. It expresses love and condolences to her family. A small horizontal line is placed at the bottom. A black background with centered white text. The message describes Ondine as the driving force and heartbeat of the Long Covid SOS team, a dear friend, and a profound loss to the community. It expresses devastation at her passing but also a commitment to continuing her legacy. The final line states, “We will miss her every day.” A small horizontal line is placed at the bottom.
franfd.bsky.social
We are 100% going to do our damnedest tomorrow to place the beautiful souls lost to covid-19 in the memory of the living.

❤️
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
On the eve of the Covid-19 #DayOfReflection - good night from us. ❤️
A quote in white on a black background. The text reads: "The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living." - Marcus Tullius Ciciero
franfd.bsky.social
Juno looking ready to eat Maggie while she’s waiting for spring 😂
Reposted by Fran Hall
Reposted by Fran Hall
covidmemorialwall.bsky.social
Love these! We have a limited supply of these beautiful candles available to buy. (Details in video)

We'll be lighting one at our Covid19 National Day of Reflection event on 9th March at around 11:20am. We're live streaming through Facebook, and would love you to light a candle with us. ❤️