West Midlands bereavement counsellor on how to enjoy Father's Day for those without their dad
A bereavement counsellor has said Father's Day can still be enjoyable for those who have lost their dad
Father's Day is usually seen as a time of celebration, but for those who have lost their dad it can be a difficult time.
A bereavement counsellor in the west Midlands has given her advice on how to go about Father's Day if your dad has passed away.
Jane Murray from Marie Curie in Solihull said: "Your dad is still a father, a daddy to celebrate, so we would encourage them to at the very least take some time out of the day to remember that special day by visiting a special place, lighting a candle or laying flowers on a grave.
"If the father has died through an illness, that will have been only a very small part of their life, so there's the rest of their life and plenty of memories to celebrate."
It can also be a tricky time to navigate if a close friend has lost their dad and you're worried about upsetting them.
Jane said: "We can't escape father's day - the cards are everywhere, the adverts are everywhere. I would say just don't avoid the subject, that's the worst thing you can do.
"Reaching out to someone and saying 'I'm thinking of you today' - that's all you have to say."
As well as remembering happy times spent with your father and being with friends and family there is other support available.
Jane said: "If people are alone and feel they can't reach out to anyone around them, Marie Curie have a dedicated phoneline on 08000902309 there will be a caring person there on the end of the phone for you to talk about your feelings."