John Gray & Co, Bangor

20/12/2025

Tomorrow we gather at Belfast City Hall for Light Up the Night: An Occasion to Remember.
This special event brings our community together in reflection and remembrance, a time to honour loved ones, share memories, and find comfort among others who understand.
🕯️ Doors open from 3.30pm for registration and Memory Tree tags.
🕓 The service begins at 4.00pm.
Please remember: this event is strictly by ticket only.
We look forward to welcoming you.

17/12/2025

COPING WITH GRIEF AT CHRISTMAS

Being proactive.

Grief can be isolating and it’s tempting to stay at home over the cold Christmas period. But it’s important to get yourself out of the house to prevent isolation. A winter walk for some fresh air could be a good way to relieve anxiety.

Focussing on the needs of others is a very rewarding experience and encourages you to engage with different people. For that reason, volunteering is a good way to help cope with grief. It also allows those who want to skip the festivities an opportunity to feel good during Christmas.

16/12/2025

Drennan, James- passed away suddenly at the Ulster Hospital on 15th December 2025. Beloved son of Chris and the late Caroline, stepson of Heather. Loving brother of Matthew and Daniel and the late Laura. Much-loved grand-nephew of Cherry, nephew of June and cousin of Nicola and Stephen. A Celebration of James’s Life will take place in John Gray & Co, 80 Central Avenue, Bangor, BT20 3AU on Tuesday 23rd December at 2.30pm, followed by committal in Roselawn Crematorium at 4.40pm.
Family flowers only please, donations in memory of James may be made online to Cure Myotonic Dystrophy UK via his tribute page at johngrayfuneraldirectors.com (Funeral Notices).

A friend of many and a friend to everyone.

*We do not grant permission for this information to be copied or shared with other organisations.

15/12/2025

If you have booked tickets for Light Up the Night: An Occasion to Remember but can no longer attend, we kindly ask that you let us know.
This special event is now fully booked, and we have a wait list of people who would love the opportunity to join us for an evening of reflection and remembrance.
Letting us know you can’t attend means we can offer your place to someone else who may really need this space of comfort and support at this time of year.
💛 If you can no longer make it, please contact us by email so we can release your ticket:
📧 Claire.McIlroy@funeralpartners.com
Thank you for helping us support our community.

14/12/2025

We are just days away from gathering for Light Up the Night: An Occasion to Remember.
This gentle, reflective event offers a space to pause, remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones surrounded by a community who understands.
There will be music, candlelight, readings and a warm welcome for all attending.
✨ Only a small number of tickets remain.
Secure yours here: https://tinyurl.com/s9str3hk

11/12/2025

We warmly invite you to Light Up the Night: An Occasion to Remember at Belfast City Hall on 21 December at 3.30pm.
This special event brings our community together in reflection and remembrance — a time to celebrate the lives of loved ones, share memories, and find comfort among others who understand.
With beautiful music, candlelight and moments of quiet reflection, this is a gentle space to pause during a busy season.
There is no charge but tickets are limited and the event is strictly by ticket only.
Book your place today. https://tinyurl.com/s9str3hk

10/12/2025

COPING WITH GRIEF AT CHRISTMAS

Traditions

Many of us practice annual Christmas traditions. When you’re grieving it may help to create new ones to honour the one you have lost. Eating their favourite meal, listening to their favourite song or visiting their final resting place are all good ways to continue to feel close to them during the festive season.

Alternatively, keeping up old traditions can bring comfort but don’t feel pressured to celebrate ‘as normal’. Take your time and do what feels right for you.

09/12/2025

We are proud to partner with Cruse Bereavement Support NI for this meaningful community event at Belfast City Hall.
Together, we invite you to an evening of music, reflection and remembrance, a gentle space to honour loved ones and find comfort among others who understand.
This special event brings our community together in reflection and remembrance; a time to celebrate the lives of loved ones, share memories, and feel supported by those who understand.
✨ Tickets are now nearly sold out.
If you would like to join us, please book as soon as possible.
Reserve your place: https://tinyurl.com/s9str3hk

08/12/2025

Writing a Christmas card to someone who’s grieving can be tough.

Many of us worry about finding the “right” words to say. Cruse Bereavement Support has created a helpful guide with tips, like:

• Avoid generic messages like ‘Happy/Merry Christmas’.
• Leave out any mention of their grief for the person they’ve lost.
• Acknowledge their loss by saying, ‘I know this year has been difficult, and this Christmas might feel different.’

For more guidance on what to say to those grieving this holiday season, visit: https://www.cruse.org.uk/christmas/what-to-say-at-christmas/
Let’s spread kindness and compassion this Christmas.

05/12/2025

McCann George, 4th December 2025 peacefully at home with his family. Dearly-loved husband to Nuala, much-loved Dad to Paul, Fiona, Eleanor, Gavin and Barry. Devoted Granda to Eva, Lilia, Conor and Niamh. George was a loving brother to P.J., Mary and the late Angela, he will be fondly loved and remembered by his daughter-in-law Jacqueline, the entire family circle and his many friends. George will be received into St Comgall’s Church, Brunswick Road, Bangor at 6.00 pm on Wednesday 10th December, Requiem Mass will be held on Thursday 11th December at 10.00 am followed by committal to Clandeboye Cemetery at 12.00 noon. Family and friends are invited to the family home on Tuesday 9th December between 12 noon and 6 pm to pay their respects. Donations, if desired may be made on line to Chest Heart and Stroke via George’s MuchLoved tribute page at www.johngrayfuneraldirectors.com (Funeral Notices). Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul.

*We do not grant permission for this information to be copied or shared with other organisations.

05/12/2025

This month we will be exploring how to handle grief at Christmas.

Connecting with others.

People mourn in different sometimes conflicting ways. Talk with your friends and family about remembering your loved one in a way which suits everybody. Once you know how everyone feels it may be easier to move forward and celebrate Christmas.

Reminiscing on shared memories with others can help people connect during difficult times and might help bring happiness over the festive period.

Try not to bottle up your feelings and don’t feel ashamed to ask for help.

03/12/2025