The PHA Group is handling the The Empty Chair, an installation at Leeds Victoria on behalf of bereavement charity Sue Ryder.
Today and tomorrow will see a dining table surrounded by 13 empty chairs installed in the popular shopping and leisure destination, following Sue Ryder’s new research which found mealtimes are the most challenging times for those who are grieving, reinforcing the feeling of loss.
Each seat at the table represents a person who has died and instead of menus at each place around the table, cards will show a photograph and a quote from a family member about the person who died alongside personal items that represent fond memories, characteristics or hobbies of the person. These include lemon curd, a football scarf, a Meatloaf album and a set of scrubs.
Celebrity supporters Lisa Riley, Gail Porter and Lottie Tomlinson, are among those who have an empty chair around the table representing their late mothers.
The charity has launched The Empty Chair to encourage family and friends to offer those who are grieving a seat at their table, by inviting them round for a meal, so that no one has to go through grief alone.
The charity’s research found that almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of people who have experienced a bereavement skip meals because they don’t like eating alone, with over half (53 per cent) skipping meals as frequently as once per week.
Sue Ryder has launched the campaign as part of its wider Grief Kind movement – which looks to equip people with the knowledge and tools to be able to meet grief with warmth and acceptance rather than shying away from open conversations.
The charity is calling for friends or family to be Grief Kind, making mealtimes easier for those grieving, with 59 per cent saying they would find it helpful if people invited them over for dinner.
Bianca Neumann, head of bereavement at Sue Ryder, said: “During your journey through grief, you may find it hard to do everyday tasks like eating meals. The idea of cooking or preparing a meal and then sitting at a dining table can be overwhelming and magnify the absence of the person who died.
“If you are supporting someone through grief, why not offer them a seat at your dinner table? It may be that the person declines your offer or cancels at the last minute, but it’s important to be understanding and patient. Grief affects people in different ways and they may wake up feeling excited to see you but by the afternoon feel unable to attend. Sue Ryder is encouraging the nation to be Grief Kind and to meet grief with warmth and acceptance instead of shying away from conversations.”
