Remember Me: St Paul’s opens COVID-19 memorial

The Remember Me memorial space at St Paul's Cathedral has opened an inner portico entrance dedicated to the memory of those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The physical memorial in St Paul's accompanies the Remember Me online book of remembrance.

Visitors can enter into the Cathedral via a beautifully designed equal access entrance and in through the North Transept door. Visitors pass through the Remember Me inner portico entrance into a designated memorial space. Once inside, visitors can view the online Remember Me memorial, search for and view the tribute to their loved one, light a candle and take a moment to pause and reflect in this tranquil space. It is free to enter this part of the Cathedral, and is open to people of all faiths and none.

Designed by Caroe Architecture with Connolly Wellingham, the portico is a beautiful, elliptical timber structure crafted in the UK and made with British Oak. Etched into the wood in gold letters are the words 'Remember Me', a poignant reminder of all the people who have died due to the pandemic in recent years. The elegant design is a modern 21^st addition in sympathy with its iconic surroundings, echoing the geometry of Wren's design.

The Remember Me inner portico is the first project of its kind to be built inside St Paul's for nearly 150 years. The entrance opens after the completion of the memorial and the equal access entrance. It is the first time the North Transept of the Cathedral has been used as a permanent entrance since this part of the Cathedral was bombed during the Second World War.

"This virtual book of remembrance is here to help us remember; not just to recall our loss and sorrow, but also to be thankful for everything good that those we have loved brought into our lives, and all that they have given to others."

HRH The Prince of Wales

Over £2.7 million was raised in partnership with the Daily Mail, donated by readers and other members of the public, to build a physical memorial at St Paul's. Celebrities and business leaders generously supported the campaign including Sir Lloyd Dorfman and Lord Alan Sugar.

Fundraising for the memorial project continues; additional funds raised for the project will increase the impact of Remember Me within St Paul's by ensuring prominent access to the memorial inside and creating a yet more powerful space for reflection.

The Dean of St Paul's, the Very Reverend Dr David Ison said "The Remember Me online memorial was first created in spring 2020, during the first national lockdown, as a way to mourn and remember loved ones who had died due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It is incredibly poignant to see the Remember Me inner portico open to the public at St Paul's. The Cathedral has been a place where people have come to mourn significant events for centuries, and the Remember Me inner portico anchors the online memorial to a physical place in the Cathedral. All people will be able to enter into a quiet and thoughtful place; read tributes on the online memorial; take a quiet moment to reflect on this great loss, and light a candle if they so wish. We are so grateful to all the supporters who gave so generously to this campaign, allowing us to commemorate all those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic."

St Paul's Cathedral set up Remember Me to enable families, friends and carers to remember and mourn those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The online book of remembrance is open to people of all faiths or none, and remains open for entries for as long as is needed.

Those wishing to remember loved ones can submit, free of charge, the name, photograph and a short message in honour of a deceased person via the Remember Me website www.rememberme2020.uk

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