Residents are invited to gather at City Hall to remember loved ones, observe a moment of silence, and support counselling and outreach
This Friday, March 6, 2026, Bermuda will pause together as The Gina Spence
Program (Registered Charity #856) hosts Bermuda’s 2nd Annual Grief & Loss Awareness Day
(BGLAD) from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM on the Front Steps of City Hall, Hamilton.
Now in its second year, BGLAD is a national observance dedicated to honoring loss, acknowledging
grief in all its forms, and reminding our community that healing is supported and possible. The day
brings together individuals, families, professionals, leaders, and community partners in a shared
moment of compassion, reflection, and care.
The 2026 observance places a focused lens on road fatalities, recognizing the profound impact of
sudden loss in a close-knit island community, while still holding space for the more than 40 types
of grief and loss people experience across a lifetime.
Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport The Hon. Owen Darrell, JP MP, emphasized the
importance of the observance and the community’s role in supporting those experiencing grief.
“This Friday, March 6 is not just another day. It is a time for us to stop and acknowledge the deep
emotional pain that many people in Bermuda are feeling, particularly those who have lost loved
ones suddenly through road accidents. No one should have to face grief alone.”
Community partners and first responders who witness the impact of road tragedies firsthand are
also supporting the initiative. Chief EMT Officer Walter Brangman of the Bermuda Hospitals
Board noted that emergency responders see the human impact of road accidents every day. “Our
EMTs respond to road traffic accidents daily, and increasingly the injuries are serious and
sometimes fatal. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of these victims every time it
happens.”
Similarly, Chief Inspector Derricka Burns of the Bermuda Police Service shared that road
fatalities leave lasting impacts on families and communities. “Behind every statistic is a name, a
face, and a family. Every road fatality represents a life cut short. We encourage the community to
honor those we have lost not only with remembrance, but with action — by making responsible
choices on our roads.”
The public is warmly invited to attend and participate by:
- Wearing orange in visible support of grief awareness
- Bringing a chair for comfort during the community gathering
- Making a donation in memory or honor of a loved one, contributing to accessible grief
and loss services across Bermuda
The observance will include community reflection, live testimonials, local performances, a
national moment of silence observed across major radio platforms, and a facilitated therapeutic
solidarity activity led by trained professionals.
Corporate companies, local businesses, community groups, and individuals who wish to make a
donation or learn more about supporting Bermuda’s Grief & Loss Awareness Day are encouraged
to contact 296-0016 or email info@gspcharity.com.
All funds raised support The Gina Spence Program’s grief and loss services, including subsidized
counselling, education, and outreach for individuals and families impacted by sudden and
traumatic loss.
Bermuda’s Grief & Loss Awareness Day is more than an event it is a collective pause. A moment to
remember, to stand together, and to affirm that grief deserves care, understanding, and
community support.
This Friday, Bermuda wears orange. Bermuda remembers. Bermuda stands together.
