The memorial service provides a space for people to remember a loved one lost to suicide; the happy times and the laughter, as well as those times when life was hard.

“We all want our life to have had significance and we want to be remembered,” said Lifeline Mid Coast's Life Matters co-ordinator Lee-Ann Foord .

“Surviving suicide loss feels like having a heartache that no one can heal, but by looking back in memory, the memorial service may help comfort you.

"It gives permission for grieving, it allows acknowledgement of the pain, in a well-supported environment with others who have the shared experience as suicide survivors.”

When someone dies by suicide, those bereaved often experience a very complicated form of grief caused by a combination of sudden shock, unanswered questions of ‘Why?’ and feelings of ‘What could I have done?’.

“They may experience a range of emotions highlighting the dramatic personal effect suicide can have and the important but difficult task of helping someone bereaved by suicide.

“For those dealing with the suicide of someone they love, it’s important they feel free to talk about their reactions to suicide openly and honestly, to find support, to make sense of what has happened and deal with their grief,” concluded Lee-Ann.

To support those who are grieving, Lifeline Mid Coast is holding its annual non-denominational memorial service for “survivors” (the term used for those who are bereaved by suicide) at Tall Ships Reserve, Peveril Street, Tinonee from 6pm to 7pm on December 16.

Christmas is an especially hard time for those touched by suicide and Tall Ships Reserve is a beautiful spot to go to reflect and wander among memories, even if our loved one’s resting place is not local.

Celebrate the life of your loved one and leave knowing you are not alone.