Festival 2026
The To Absent Friends festival takes place across Scotland from 1-7 November 2026.
It is an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people we love who have died. To Absent Friends, a People’s Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance is an opportunity to revive lost traditions and create new ones.
Below is a list of the events taking place around Scotland and online.
These listings are live, so new events will be added in the coming weeks. If you have an event or activity you’d like to add, please email details to samara@palliativecarescotland.org.uk.
Let’s Talk About Death
Organised by Pushing Up the Daisies, Soul Midwives Scotland, End of Life Doulas Scotland, No One Dies Alone (Ayrshire and Lanark)
7 November, 1-4pm
Garnethill Community Centre, Glasgow
This activity is open to the public. No need to book in advance.
This is an open invitation to come and talk about death, dying and bereavement with representatives from several Scottish organisations who specialise in end of life care and beyond.
This is an opportunity to gather information for preparing for your own death, caring for loved ones and/or talking about grief. A space will be offered for listening and support.
Being run in conjunction with Pushing up the Daisies, Soul Midwives Scotland, End of Life Doulas Scotland, No One Dies Alone (Ayrshire and Lanark) and more.
We would love to see you there for this free community event. It is a drop-in event so just come any time between 1 - 4pm.
To Absent Friends – A wander in Holyrood Park
Organised by Humanist Society Scotland
Saturday 7th November, 11:00am - 12:15pm
In Holyrood Park, Edinburgh
This activity is open to the public. Please register in advance.
Join us for a gentle, thoughtful wander and an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people we love who have died.
Starting and finishing at the Lilyhill Terrace entrance to Holyrood Park (inside the park gate, opposite 49 Lilyhill Terrace, EH8 7DR) on Saturday 7th November 11am – 12noon in Holyrood Park.
We will pause at the poet-tree to read some poetry, and if you wish to (no obligation), you can share a little about your loved one and/or write their name on an autumn leaf and scatter it into the wind to return to nature. We will then continue to walk up to Dunsapie Loch before returning back.
The walk will be facilitated by Lara, a Humanist Celebrant and the Community Engagement Manager for Humanist Society Scotland.
Unfortunately the path is not suitable for wheelchairs, and includes some steps, and muddy, uneven surfaces. Participation is at your own risk. Please wear appropriate clothing for the Scottish weather and bring a waterproof and water bottle or thermos.
This activity is free and open to the public, but please register in advance on Meetup so that we have an idea of numbers.
Photo by Van Williams via Unsplash
Remembering Absent Friends
Organised by Café Conversations
Community event: 7 November 2026
Floral tribute: 1-7 November 2026
Eddleston Village Hall (event) and main road (floral display)
Both activities will be public.
Café Conversations has been set up as a resource for the community of Eddleston. Informed by the national Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief (GLGDGG) initiative it provides a non-judgmental space for people to ask and discuss the big questions about living, dying and grieving.
Our 2026 ‘To Absent Friends’ project will have two strands. The first is a community event, which will take place in the village on Saturday 7th November 2026. Tea, coffee and a plentiful supply of cake will be offered, as we have found from past experience that by sharing refreshments, people are more willing to talk and to share their experiences, and in so doing offer support and solace to others. Through our event we aim to provide a safe space, where laughter, tears, or just chat are all equally welcome.
The second is a repeat of an activity we have undertaken in previous years using TAF funding. This is to make and place a ‘To Absent Friends’ floral tribute. This was positioned such that it could be viewed and enjoyed by residents of the entire community, users of the multi-use path that now passes through the village, and by the much larger group of individuals travelling through the village by car, van or bus every day. We know from feedback we received in past years that this floral tribute to those who are no longer with us, particularly with the adjacent bench, created an important space, both real and virtual, for private reflection and contemplation, and was greatly appreciated by many.
This activity is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.
Lost for Words Film Screening
Organised by North Berwick Coastal Community Connections
Friday 6 November 2026, 7-9:30pm
Community Centre, North Berwick
This activity is open to the public. Please register in advance.
Absent Friends Week is a national festival of storytelling and remembrance - a space to remember those who are no longer with us and share the stories that keep them present in our lives. This year, Coastal Community Connections explores Legacy Burdens – the expectations, beliefs and behaviours around grief that we inherit from our families, communities and wider culture. These can shape how we think grief should look, what we feel able to express and what we learn to keep hidden.
An inspiring, beautiful, poetic documentary that travels the UK landscapes and communities to explore connections amongst its people’s, arts, sciences and the natural living world.Lost words for a living world, lost words for dying: one culture of avoidance,
two unfolding inextricably-connected aspects that call for our attention. Join us for a post screening conversation.
Find out more and book your place here.
Remembering Through Memories
Organised by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD)
Friday 6th November 2026, 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Robertson House, Glasgow
This activity is for people currently supported through SFAD.
Scottish Families are hosting a special Memory Making Workshop for anyone bereaved by alcohol or drug use. Open to anyone already receiving support through Scottish Families, this warm and supportive workshop will provide a gentle space to remember loved ones, reflect on meaningful memories, and create something personal to take away. Whether loss was recent or many years ago, we know that remembering someone can bring up lots of different emotions, but we hope this will be a meaningful opportunity to connect with others who understand and honour the person lost in a supportive environment.
For more information about Scottish Families, visit www.sfad.org.uk
This activity is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant
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