Name: Annabel Jayne Davies
Organisation: Co-op Funeralcare
Award Category: Bereavement Worker
Sponsored By:
Voting Is Now Closed
My Plea:
Returning to my role as a Funeral Director having suffered my own pregnancy loss was incredibly punishing. Between the pain and the pieces of my broken heart I found strength, bravery and compassion that fuels me to improve the services offered to bereaved parents. I campaigned for the local councils to offer free cremation services for infants, I attended study days and have assisted in the set up of a support group for grieving parents and all those affected by child loss. I began attending hospitals to offer talks to midwives about the services we can offer to parents and how we can all work together to extend comfort and guidance to these families. Moreover, I have created a library of books, information packs and keepsakes that support bereaved parents – these may be borrowed by families free of charge. Recently, I donated a small table along with handmade covers to my local crematorium for use as an alternative to placing an infant coffin on the catafalque; it means that families can be closer to their baby during the service.
I have collected various sized Moses baskets and cribs as well as a bed so that any child in my care may rest snuggly. I am very grateful to have received 2 cuddle cots at the funeral home and offer to lend these to hospitals, families and other funeral directors should they request. I will attend at their convenience to set up the cot; this is a service I offer personally which allows parents to have additional and often essential time with their baby, no matter what funeral arrangements have been made.
Working with neonatal departments I have encouraged and accepted donations of knitted items to donate to poorly babies to keep them cosy whilst they get better; I have made donations to 7 different hospitals and even sent a collection to a neonatal ward in Uganda.
Working for Co-op Funeralcare is a privilege but myself and my colleagues wish that no parent ever has to suffer the loss of their child. Although I am a small link in the chain; I will speak until my voice is heard, until research and funding is invested so that fewer parents are forced to say goodbye.
I plan to continue to raise awareness of child loss and talk about our babies. We all face the silence in our homes, the silence in our hearts and we all know the silence we can be greeted with when we tell people who do not understand. Let’s break that silence. I want to encourage people to share their babies memories, their love and for us to stand together through even our darkest of days.
What Others Have Said
After reading about Annabelle work with angel babies and bereaved families I was both emotional but inspired. What a wonderful thing to do at such an important time.
https://youtu.be/O3KIr1qWZcg
Belle is a very caring loving Person who has a heart of gold. Her inspiration is fomnonable.well done we love you x
Belle is very caring and professional in any task she undertakes.
Keep doing amazing positive things.
I work every day with Annabel she is so caring and passionate about everything she does. She gives 100% and more to every family she deals with. Her dedication to her profession is truly remarkable. A true lady and a inspiration to us all.
What an inspirational lady and such a credit to the funeral industry
I vote for Belle, she helped me and my family following the loss of our 8 week old boy and still regularly checks in with us.
Annabelles dedication to her work and the charities she supports is second to none.
Belle helped me and my partner after we lost our beautiful son.. she is the kindest women I’ve ever met. She is an inspiration and to be greated by her warm smile at coop funeral care on the hardest journey any parent has to go through was welcoming she made us at ease as we put all are trust in her to help arrange a beautiful send of that was 1million percent met xx
A dedicated young lady. A great example to us all.
Annabel has a heart of gold she is so kind and caring and thoughtful to others, she is truly dedicated to her job and helping others and is constantly taking on new tasks and challenges to better herself for both her career and charity’s too- what an amazing lady and I’m so lucky to be her friend- we all love you Annabel xxxxx
Annabel is the most caring person I’ve had the pleasure to meet . Annabel always has time for people, she has a heart of gold .
Annabel was so helpful and went above and beyond when my best friends dad died. I remember thinking what a lovely kind person she was and am absolute credit to her work
Annabel goes well above her job mandate to help couples who have sadly lost their dream . The extra little touches and real , personal empathy must be a massive consoling influence for those that she helps
Annabel goes well above what would be required from her job in consoling parents who have lost their tiny dream . I’m sure that her personal touch and empathy must be of great comfort for those during this sad period .
What a hard working and dedicated person
Annabel is a real credit to her profession – she’s assisted me, as a Civil Funeral Celebrant, with advice when, very sadly, conducting a service for an infant. She is a very special young lady
I vote for Belle, quite simply because she cares and her heart is in the right place for others
I have had the pleasure and privilege to work along side Annabel in my role as a funeral arranger and the dedication she shows to her families is above and beyond what is required and the passion she has to make sure every parent can spend those precious last days with their babies is incredible, she is truly an inspiration to myself and many others. Well done Belle xx
On reading what this very caring lady does she deserves recognition as she definitely goes up and beyond her job description she’s a credit to her company and a massive support to families losing their child which must be one of the hardest things any parent has to face.
Annabel is one of the most caring and compassionate people I know. She always goes above and beyond in every aspect of her job, nothing is too much trouble for her. She is constantly campaigning to improve services offered to bereaved parents in the hope of easing just a tiny bit of the unimaginable pain they go through. There is nobody more deserving of this award than Annabel.
Annabel’s commitment and dedication is an inspiration to us all. Keep up the good work. Love you tons. X
Annabelle strives to help others before her own desires. Her story is an amazing example of how one is able to flip a negative situation into a positive one.
Annabelle is an asset to co-op funeral services and is not afraid to gain knowledge before providing support to the bereaved family. Her story is one I can relate to and is an inspiration for everyone. She hides her sorrows behind a gleaming smile while supporting and listening to others.
It is rare to find someone with a heart as caring and as pure as Annabelle’s. Keep smiling, onwards and upwards from here, stay blessed and keep up the good work