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.
Elders Remember
Organised by LGBT Health and Wellbeing
3 November 2026, 2 - 4pm
LGBT Health and Wellbeing Community Space, 14 Claremont Street, Glasgow
This free event is open to LGBTQ+ people aged 60+, as well as friends, carers and supporters. Please register in advance.
As part of Scotland’s To Absent Friends Festival, LGBT Health and Wellbeing is hosting a special afternoon of remembrance, reflection and community for LGBTQ+ older people and their supporters. Taking place on 3rd November from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at our community space in 14 Claremont Street, Glasgow, this free event offers a welcoming opportunity to celebrate the lives, stories and contributions of friends, partners, family members and community members who are no longer with us.
Together, we will honour the memories that have shaped our lives and communities through storytelling, conversation and creative memory-sharing activities. Whether you would like to share a personal story, bring along a photograph or keepsake, or simply listen and reflect in the company of others, you will be warmly welcomed.
The afternoon will include refreshments, with sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee provided, and plenty of time to connect with other LGBTQ+ elders, friends and supporters in a supportive and inclusive environment.
This event is open to LGBTQ+ people aged 60+, as well as friends, carers and supporters. Spaces are limited, so advance booking is recommended.
Please contact Jean at jean@lgbthealth.org.uk or 07516 553 274 to reserve a place.
Join us as we remember absent friends, celebrate cherished memories, and recognise the lasting impact of those who have helped shape our communities.
This activity is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.
Poetry for Remembrance and Loss led by local poet Kathrine Sowerby
Organised by Creating Conversations CIC in collaboration with Glasgow Life - Libraries
Tuesday 3 November 2026, 5:30 - 7:30pm
The Mitchell Library, Glasgow G3 7DN
This activity is open to the public. Please register in advance.
Enjoy a short reading of Kathrine’s work followed by discussion and opportunity to share poetry that holds meaning for you.
This event is hosted in partnership between Creating Conversations CIC and Glasgow Libraries and is part of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief’s festival of story-telling and remembrance.
Find out more and book your free place here.
This activity is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.
Remembrance Crafting Event
Organised by funeral celebrants Emily Porth and Ella Humphries
Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 7:00-8:30 pm
Loanhead Library, George Ave, Loanhead, Midlothian EH20 9LA
This activity is open to the public. Please register in advance.
Join community celebrants Ella and Emily for this Let’s Talk About Death Community Cafe, which is being hosted as a free “Remembrance Crafting Event” as part of To Absent Friends... A People’s Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance.
The aim of this event is to strengthen community connections in Midlothian by bringing people together to share stories and solace. Supported by small grant funding from To Absent Friends, we have space for up to 15 people to create a memory box using colouring and collage supplies. All crafting materials will be provided, though you may want to bring an apron to protect your clothes.
Please bring an A5 photo of a loved one who you would like to remember that will go into the top of the box, as well as a mug, and we’ll provide the tea and cake. We hope you will join us for crafting and heartwarming conversation as we create space to remember those we are missing.
Please register to attend here: https://events.humanitix.com/let-s-talk-about-death-community-cafe-3-november-2026
Find out more about your hosts here: Ella (https://www.ellahumphries.com/) and Emily (https://emilyporth.co.uk/)
This activity is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.
To Absent Friends Lunch
Organised by Dumfries Get Together
3 November 2026
Edenbank Hotel, Dumfries
This activity is for the Dumfries Get Together community.
Dumfries Get Together is a women’s, non profit social group with over 300 members. For many women the group has become a lifeline by offering friendship without judgement and activities that improve physical and mental wellbeing. We all share a simple goal: to reduce social isolation by enjoying great company and trying new activities.
Many of our members have experienced bereavement either recently or longer ago. Although many friendships have been built through our organisation and we support each other in our daily lives, our event will allow a dedicated time of reflection about those we have lost. With the support from the To Absent Friends programme we have organised a lunch in a private room at the Edenbank Hotel in Dumfries. Phillis Wright, a local humanist celebrant is going to start the event off with a short talk on the theme of dealing with loss and how to support each other through grief. During lunch we will encourage conversations to do with the theme, and for people to write down memories of those that have died or other thoughts arising from the day. With people’s permission these thoughts and reminiscences will then be displayed in our group’s meeting room for other members to read and add to so that as many people as possible will benefit.
We hope that the event will be a celebration of the lives of those that have died and will also provide support and solace for those experiencing grief.
Find out more at Dumfries Get Together’s Meetup page.
Let’s Remember Together
Organised by St Mary’s Church, Birnam
Tuesday 3 November, 10am-noon
St Mary’s Church, Birnam 4 Perth Rd, Dunkeld PH8 0BG
This event is open to all. No need to book in advance.
Often society expects bereaved people to ‘get over’ the death of a loved on within a matter of a few weeks or months. The reality is we never ‘get over’ our losses. Each day we are confronted with the reality of the absence of our loved ones. They are still real to us, still beloved, and yet we often cannot speak of them to others.
On Thursday 3rd November between 10am and noon, come and share with us over a cup of tea in a space where everyone is welcome to come and remember their loved ones, and to celebrate their on-going presence in our lives. No matter how long ago, or how recent your loss: you are welcome. Feel free to bring a photo or other memento if that helps you remember.
Talking might be too much, so we are also offering cards in which you can write a letter to your loved ones…in thanks…in sorrow…in love…it’s up to you.
Craft materials will be available should you wish to remember by creating a piece of art or a poem in their memory.
Our room at Birnam Arts is fully accessible to all.
Please contact Tina on 01350 728 091 with any questions. There is no need to book.
Tina is the Rector of St Mary’s Church, Birnam but this event is offered to the whole community whether of any faith or none. All are welcome.
This activity is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.
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