Co-op Funeralcare in Southport to support members through the loss of a loved one

MANCHESTER, 20-Oct-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — Co-op Funeralcare in Southport has launched bereavement group, ‘Friends Together’, aimed to support members of the local community through the loss of a loved one.

Co-op’s ‘Friends Together’ monthly lunch was introduced by Estate Planning Lead, Debbie Hall, who works at the funeral home on Sefton Street. The group, set up this summer, provides Co-op Funeralcare with a way of supporting members of its local community through the bereavement process.

Research from the Co-op has found that loneliness is one of the biggest issues facing communities across the UK. With the support of the British Red Cross, Co-op continues to work closely with local communities to help tackle loneliness, and the development of bereavement groups such as the ‘Friends Together’ group in Southport is another means of confronting the issue.

Held at the St Philip and St Paul with Wesley Church, those in attendance enjoy a home cooked meal, followed by tea and coffee, whilst they’re able to chat with others who’ve been through a bereavement.

Debbie Hall, Co-op Estate Planning Lead, said:

“We initially decided to set up ‘Friends Together’ as we wanted to continue to help local families through the grieving process. It offers individuals the opportunity to openly discuss how they’re feeling with like-minded people.

“People can expect bereavement groups to be sombre but the reality is that the conversations are so varied and very often the room is filled with laughter. Members of the public who have suffered a loss, whether a friend, family member or even a pet, are welcome to join us.”

Reverend Marie-Anne Kent commented:

“We’ve been hosting Co-op’s ‘Friends Together’ bereavement lunch since it started and it’s been great to see the group grow each month.

“The group meets to talk about everything, from bereavement to what they’re planning to do over the weekend. It’s a great atmosphere and there’s no better way to have a good conversation than over some home cooked food.”

‘Friends Together’ bereavement lunch is held at the St Philip and St Paul with Wesley Church, Scarisbrick New Road, Southport, PR8 6QF, once a month at 12.30pm. The next lunch will be taking place on 26th October, those who would like to attend should contact Debbie Hall on 01704 501501.

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Notes to Editors:

Images are available upon request.

About The Co-op:
The Co-op, one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with interests across food, funerals, insurance, electrical and legal services, has a clear purpose of championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities. Owned by millions of UK consumers, The Co-opoperates a total of 3,750 outlets, with more than 70,000 colleagues and an annual turnover of approximately £10 billion. Home to the UK’s leading funeral provider, Co-op Funeralcare conducts almost 100,000 funerals annually across over 1,000 funeral homes. Combined with its leading legal services business, the Co-op is also a national provider of later life products and services ranging from funeral plans, through to wills and probate.

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SOURCE: Co-operative Group Limited