Kingsdown Crematorium in Swindon has launched an urgent appeal for teddy bears to give to grieving children at funerals.
The crematorium began presenting bears to bereaved youngsters in 2024 to give them something to focus on during services, something soft and comforting to cuddle at an often overwhelmingly difficult time, and something to keep as an act of remembrance for their loved one.
The teddies come with an adoption certificate bearing the message: “When you are feeling sad and you feel like you are on your own, squeeze me tight, as I’m here, you are not alone.”
Staff at the crematorium have handed out about 1,000 teddies since the initiative began but stocks are running very low. Swindon Borough Council bereavement services officer Zoe Fennell took to BBC Radio Wiltshire to appeal for donations. All bears with a CE safety label are welcome and can be sent to or dropped off at the crematorium or the council’s register office.
Fennell spearheaded the initiative, which was prompted by the council’s involvement in Wiltshire Treehouse’s Week to Remember campaign during National Children’s Grief Awareness Week in November 2023. Fennell was inspired by the positive impact the campaign’s ambassador bear, Angel, had on children and determined that Kingsdown Crematorium would find a way to offer comfort to grieving kids. The first 100 comfort bears were donated by council staff.
Fennell says she hoped the idea would be taken up by other crematoria. “We’ve seen the impact it has on children and we’d really like it to spread. It would be great if everyone did it,” she comments.
The association with Wiltshire Tree House, a bereavement charity focussed on supporting young people, continues and the charity hosted a teddy bears’ picnic at the crematorium’s recent 60th anniversary celebrations.
FSJ readers, please clear out your cupboards, look in your lofts or buy a bear to send to Kingsdown Crematorium.