Sharon Wheeler, Chestnut Tree House: remember a loved one this Christmas

As we get closer to Christmas, it can be quite a difficult time for those facing the season without a loved one, whether for the first time since they died, or many years on.

It can feel as though everyone else is celebrating while you're carrying a grief that often feels unseen. For some people, there can be pressure to join in the festivities when what they really need is time and space to remember.

Finding meaningful ways to honour and remember someone special can bring comfort. That's why this Christmas, supporters of Chestnut Tree House are being invited to take part in a special remembrance tradition that has long been part of our sister hospices, Martlets in Hove and St Barnabas House in Worthing.

Families, friends and supporters can dedicate a heart in memory of someone as part of the Show Your Love remembrance displays. The colourful hearts, each bearing the name of a loved one who has died, will fill the hospice windows throughout the festive season.

This year, for the first time, we're opening this opportunity to our Chestnut Tree House supporters too. Anyone can dedicate a heart and be part of a collective act of remembrance that celebrates lives and cherished memories.

How we remember and celebrate those we love is deeply personal. But there is something incredibly powerful about seeing their names alongside others, knowing that so many people are holding someone special in their thoughts this Christmas. We know this opportunity will mean a great deal to many families across Sussex.

To dedicate a heart, simply visit www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/winter-2026/ by 4 December and scroll down to the ‘Remember a loved one this Christmas’ link. You can add a message and a picture online too.

Together, the hearts will create a beautiful display, reminding us that while grief can feel isolating, none of us is alone in it.