Annual Commemoration Service

Thursday 11 October 2012, 7:00pm to 8:15pm
Winthrop Hall, University of Western Australia, Crawley


What is the Annual Commemoration Service?

The Annual Commemoration Service is a secular ceremony which commemorates those who have recently died in Western Australia. It is organised by Palliative Care WA Inc for the entire community.
Palliative Care WA Inc has a clear health-promoting objective:  for the Annual Commemoration Service: to assist with building the Western Australian community’s capacity to cope with loss, grief and bereavement.

Specifically, we aim to:

  • provide fellowship through a ceremony, the provision of refreshments and an opportunity for people to meet informally
  • incorporate, where-ever possible, evidence-based practice to support people coping with loss, grief and bereavement and develop community capacity in these areas
  • acknowledge and use elements from a range of traditions which help people cope with loss, grief and bereavement
  • acknowledge the history of the St Luke’s Day Service in Perth.


Who can come to the Annual Commemoration Service?

All Western Australians who have experienced the loss of someone close to them in the past year or so are welcome to attend the Service.
Although the event is organised by Palliative Care WA Inc, palliative care will not be the sole focus of the Service. We recognise that many people do not access or need input from a palliative care service when they are dying, while others die unexpectedly, and that those close to these people might benefit from participation in the Annual Commemoration Service.
There is no need to RSVP for this event, attendees should simply turn up on the evening. There is no charge or cost.


What will happen on the evening?

The doors of Winthrop Hall will be open from 6:30pm. The event will commence at 7:00pm.

There will be several speakers, some of whom will give short talks (no longer than five minutes each), while others will read carefully selected texts which relate to loss and grief. People from a range of backgrounds (including people from the general community who have recent experience of loss and grief) will share their personal thoughts, insights and understandings. A choir will perform at different stages. Members of the audience will be invited to light a candle to commemorate someone close to them. The candles will be provided. After the formal ceremony finishes at about 8:15 PM, all participants will be invited to a simple supper of tea or coffee and biscuits. All participants will be provided with a program.

You can see a copy of the program for the 2011 Service here.

What role can health professionals play?

Members of the caring professions are welcome to attend the Service, where their contribution to caring for people at the end of life and supporting carers and families will be formally acknowledged.


Why choose 11 October 2012?

We have chosen 11 October for the 2012 Annual Commemoration Service because it falls between World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (8 October 2012) and St Luke’s Day. For several years Palliative Care WA Inc helped organise the annual St Luke’s Day Service in Perth for the family members and friends of people who had died in palliative care during the previous year. The Service was held on the Thursday evening closest to St Luke’s Day, which falls on 18 October each year.


Where is Winthrop Hall, and is parking available?

The Service will be held in Winthrop Hall on the main Crawley campus of the University of WA.  Some maps and satellite navigation systems show the University of Western Australia as in Nedlands.
Parking is free at the University, enter at Winthrop Avenue main entrance, turn left for car park 1 or right for car park 20 (next to the Art Gallery). You can view a map of the University campus online at www.uwa.edu.au/campus_map, otherwise maps are shown in most street directories.


What do people say about the Service?

  • R and I really appreciated the effort that Pallative Care WA went to, to organise this service. For us, it was an opportunity to just take some time together and think of dear C. We are not religious people but having the input of some wonderful people from the church was quite nice, actually. We loved the little passage that was read out by the young girl and I also thought that the Medical Director from, I think RPH, was really from the heart. The choir was amazing - they made me cry my eyes out which was exactly what I needed. I am originally from South Africa (it's where my Dad lives too) so it was quite fitting that the choir was from South Africa. The venue was just beautiful. Having it in the evening for us, was helpful. It really was a lovely night out for R and I. Thank you for inviting us. (2011 Service)

  • Just being in those surroundings, sharing an hour with so many in  similar circumstances was a comfort - I'm not alone. The music was a great solace and much appreciated was "One day at a time". The ten stages in the grieving process provided me with a road map along which I now travel with a lot more hope that this excruciating pain, this emptiness will lose its acuity and tears turn to smiles of remembrance. The lighting of the candles was the most poignant moment for me it was as though I was relighting the precious life so recently extinguished.  Please accept my gratitude for the privilege of attending such a beautiful service. Thank you for a beautifully structured arrangement of music, readings,and personal experiences that brought comfort to an aching heart. God bless you all who made this a truly moving experience. (2011 Service)

  • I attended the service as my mother E was in Royal Perth Hospital in September last year. I would like to thank everyone and to say what an absolutely beautiful service it was, there was nothing that could have been improved on. The singing, the choir, the words in the readings, the songs, the perfectly read words by Lillian and all of those that spoke from their hearts, everything was perfect.  I found it very interesting to listen to the words from Doug Bridge and to learn and hear about his beliefs. Thank you very much for putting in so much effort, it was very much appreciated.  (2011 Service)

  • On Thursday last, the 13th October, I attended your commemorative service by invitation from Silver Chain who provided palliative care for my late, dear wife. I really do want to thank your organisation and all involved with that event for a wonderful service which was very nicely balanced; gentle talks with lovely singing by the choirs. The efforts of the students at the following refreshments were much appreciated. I look forward to the chance to attend next year.  I would be grateful if you would extend my thanks and appreciation to all involved in this event.  (2011 Service)

  • This is the first time we have attended your service and would not have known about it except for our friend telling us.  Her husband J passed away in June 2011 after much care and support from his wife, family and friends PLUS the wonderful Silver Chain nurses who appeared like magic angels whenever they were called. We had known J for 30 years as Godfather to our daughter, computer fixit man and bridge partner. His gentle kindness will be sadly missed but not forgotten.  To all the unamed heros and heroines who work for those of us with loved ones who are mortally ill, please accept this thank you from two ordinary people who were uplifted by the commemorative service last week. The singing brought the song words into our hearts and a spring into our step.


Where can I get more information?

Page updated 25 Jan 12

Last page Update:January 25, 2012