An initiative has been launched to encourage individuals to take time to reflect on individuals they love and cherish but are no longer here. The late May bank holiday Monday has been renamed Celebration Day. A range of individuals have shared their thoughts and opinions about the need for such an occasion and discussed the value of remembrance.
One commentator, an educationalist, historian, and campaigner for Celebration Day, said that the day was a reminder to celebrate the person they lost in a positive and healthy way. He added that while we may be afraid to remember persons who have passed away, it is essential to do so to keep their memory alive. The commentator also believes that Remembrance Sunday has become less personal for individuals, and the introduction of Celebration Day provides them with a privately personal space for reflecting on their loss.
Another individual commenting on Celebration Day was a Professor of Islamic and interreligious studies. He said that while the initiative is a good idea, Western society still sees death as a taboo subject. He believes the language of death and its associated themes should be incorporated into regular conversations. Traditional cultures, on the other hand, view death as being part of life, where people die in families and homes, surrounded by specific rituals, making it easier to cope with.
A Director of a Christian think tank, Theos, believes that Celebration Day is a great idea since there is a need for spaces that allow individuals to recognize their sense of loss. Research conducted by their organization shows that the popularity of funeral ceremonies has been declining, and therefore, there is a need for additional spaces that help promote collective grief. The director also indicated that grieving helps individuals deal with mental and spiritual stress, and it is okay to recognize their sadness.
In conclusion, while some individuals believe that Celebration Day is an excellent initiative to deal with grief, others believe that it is unnecessary since it is not a celebratory event. However, all of them agree that our society should deal better with issues related to death and to mourn those we have lost. There is a need to provide spaces to share personal experiences, advice, and tips that can help us cope with our sense of loss better
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