Derek and Pamela hold vow renewal at Moya Cole Hospice
This week marks Dying Matters Awareness Week. Read Derek and Pamela's Story Below
Yesterday marked the beginning of Dying Matters Awareness Week. This year’s theme is Let’s Talk about Death and Dying.
The mission of Dying Matters is to break down the stigma and taboo of talking about death and dying. But sometimes, it’s hard to know where to start.
27% of people find it hard to talk about death with family or friends, and 30% bottle their feelings up. If we don’t talk about death and dying and bereavement, it can be harder to cope when we experience it.
Derek and Pamela renewed their vows at Moya Cole Hospice in March; they originally planned their own vow renewal for April, but due to Derek’s deterioration, he was admitted to Moya Cole, where they had to rethink the vow renewal and decided to host it in the hospice’s Haven.
Their discussion surrounding death and dying led to a day and a ceremony that Derek and Pamela will remember fondly. Read about their experience below.
Light danced through the stained-glass windows of the Haven at Moya Cole Hospice, shimmering hues of blue, purple, and orange as Derek and Pamela renewed their vows after 29 years of marriage.
When it was discovered that Derek had bile duct cancer, the couple decided they wanted to renew their wedding vows.
They originally planned to have the renewal of the vows on April 28th until there was a sudden deterioration in Derek’s health in March, and he was taken to the hospice.
Pamela’s sister-in-law, Anne, said it was decided to have the vow renewal at the hospice.
When we knew Derek was being admitted to Moya Cole Hospice, we spoke with the Macmillan nurses who said it would definitely be possible to renew their vows in the Haven Anne, Derek's Sister and Moya Cole Hospice Supporter
“The vicar from the church where they were originally married agreed to do the vow renewal. One of Pamela’s friends has a Rolls-Royce and provided it free of charge as well as the vicar providing his services free of charge.
“It was mainly family and a couple of friends, but it was a lovely occasion.”
Anne said Pamela brought in a white shirt for Derek, the hospice team shaved him and dressed him.
They wheeled his bed into the Haven for the ceremony, and I kept Pamela out in the entrance and I walked her down the aisle Anne, Derek's Sister and Moya Cole Hospice Supporter
After the ceremony the group had cake, tea and coffee in the coffee lounge at Moya Cole Hospice.
Prior to the ceremony, wedding day balloons were brought into the Haven. They played music including Bryan Adams ‘Everything I Do’ and created a lovely atmosphere for the occasion.
“It was just a really lovely day,” Anne said.