To Absent Friends: Remembering Together
Every November, people across Scotland pause to remember loved ones we have lost as part of the To Absent Friends festival. It is a week dedicated to stories, memories, and connection.
At The Fuze Foundation, we were proud to host our own event this year, bringing together families, friends, and celebrants to share laughter, tears, and love in equal measure. Remembrance is at the heart of being human. It allows us to celebrate lives lived, acknowledge our grief, and find comfort in shared experience.
Humanist values remind us that even in loss, we are never alone. It is compassion and community that carry us, and remembering together helps us heal. Events like To Absent Friends show that when grief is met with openness, it becomes something shared, rather than something carried alone.
On Tuesday the 4th of November 2025, our goal, alongside Catrina Murphy, Manager at Bishopbriggs Crematorium, and her team, was simple: to create a warm, safe, and interactive space for our community to honour the loved ones who are deeply missed.
I want to reflect on the powerful sense of shared humanity we experienced at the event, and why taking time to remember, whether in a group or quietly on your own, can be such an important part of the grief journey.
For too long, discussing loss and bereavement has been kept behind closed doors. At Fuze, we believe connection, storytelling, and celebration are all essential parts of healing.
If you are navigating loss, please know that you are not alone, and there is space for both sadness and joy. Choosing a truly personal and meaningful service, such as a Humanist funeral, can be a gentle and supportive first step in this process.
The Power of Gathering
The evening brought together reflection and connection in a way that felt both tender and uplifting. We were touched by the number of people who joined us at the crematorium, a place often associated only with sorrow, and helped us create a warm space of remembrance.
Music certainly helped shape the tone of the evening. As the sun set on a glorious autumnal day, casting a trail of gold across the sky, guests were welcomed by Tam the Piper, and we began with a cuppa and our Remembrance Playlist. This was a collection of songs chosen for the loved ones being honoured. Later, we were moved by live performances by our own talented Fuze musicians and friends. These musical moments created a gentle space for memory and reflection.
One of the most meaningful parts of the evening were the breakout sessions, where guests were invited to honour their absent friends in simple but heartfelt ways:
– Acronym Exercise: Celebrating character traits by forming words and phrases from a loved one’s name. These were then hung on a beautiful blossom tree for all to see. A special thank you to Pretty Little Details & Events for gifting us use of one of their trees for the evening.
– Memory Keepsakes: Writing down cherished memories, drawing a moment, or writing a private letter. These tributes were collected into a commemorative box which will be interred in the gardens at Bishopbriggs Crematorium, creating a lasting link to the evening.
– Remembrance Slideshow: A beautiful collage of smiling faces, accompanied by live music, thanks to Obitus.
Grief can feel isolating. But gathering like this reminds us that the thread of community holds strong.
A Moment for Reflection
Toward the end of the evening, I spoke about the meaning of remembrance itself. I reflected on Christina Rossetti’s poem Remember, which gently reminds us that love does not depend on constant sorrow. It suggests that remembering with warmth, acceptance, and even a small smile, can be a gift in itself.
This message sits at the heart of the Fuze Foundation: remembrance rooted in love, connection, and the celebration of a unique life.
Support and Legacy
The Fuze Foundation, founded in 2012 by Anne Widdop, is known not only for creating personal Humanist wedding ceremonies, but also for our commitment to easing the burden of loss. We continue to provide free funeral ceremonies for families who may be struggling, in partnership with Caledonia Funeral Care and Funeral Link.
We also shared information on ways to remember your loved one beyond the funeral itself:
Memorial options at Bishopbriggs Crematorium
Charitable giving and legacy creation
Bereavement support resources such as Cruse and Samaritans
It is okay to seek help. Talking about grief is a strength, not a weakness.
We cannot wait to be part of To Absent Friends again next year.
Next Steps — See the Evening for Yourself
If you missed the event, you can still get a feel for the evening, watch our highlights video by clicking image below .
If you are planning a celebration of life or would like support with funeral choices in Scotland, we are here to help you create a ceremony that is personal, meaningful, and reflective of a life well-lived.
Speak to a celebrant or get in touch:
https://fuzeceremonies.co.uk/contact/
About the Author
Morag has been a Humanist Celebrant since 2012 and now proudly serves as Chair of The Fuze Foundation. Her work is rooted in equality, compassion and connection. She believes that every life deserves to be celebrated with dignity, and all grief deserves space, support and understanding. She is an advocate for remembrance, that doesn’t hide in silence but lives in shared stories, warmth and love.
