AN Oxford church is today giving people the opportunity to say a 'proper goodbye' to people who have died during the pandemic.

Christ Church Cathedral will be open all day today to allow people to commemorate anyone they are in mourning for.

The church decided to organise the event as so many people have been deprived of the chance to say a proper goodbye to loved ones they have lost as a result of this year's pandemic restrictions.

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Visits to hospitals and care homes have been curbed in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus, and the Government restrictions have also limited the number of people allowed to attend funerals.

The cathedral is therefore offering 'A Chance to Say Goodbye' today.

People can drop into the cathedral at any time between 10am and 4pm to light a candle in memory of anyone they mourn.

There will be short prayers read every hour. In the evening, there will be three separate ceremonies to remember the dead.

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Reverend Philippa White, Succentor of Christ Church Cathedral, said: "This hard year has been made harder by not being able to meet together and mourn those who have died in the way we want to.

"At this remembrance time of year, we want to offer the Cathedral as a place to mourn: to come, light a candle, sit for a while and rest in the stillness of this ancient building, remembering those you love before God in this holy place.

"Or to come virtually: to light an online candle, or to send us the names of your loved ones to be read in a ceremony of remembrance. May God meet you in your grief, surround you with his love, and show you his tender mercy."