Our Origins

The inspiration for this site was the work and creativity of the ‘Speak Their Name Quilts’- originally Greater Manchester Speak Their Name and Yorkshire Speak Their Name. Exploring ways to manage the grief of losing a loved one to suicide, and seeking support through connection to similarly bereaved families, the idea of a ‘suicide memorial quilt’ emerged.

Anyone bereaved by suicide can create a memorial square on fabric by embroidery, stitching, painting, or any other artistic route. Each unique square is dedicated to their loved one. With all the squares sewn together into a quilt, a beautiful memorial is created. The idea resonated with countless families, friends and colleagues who have lost a loved one to suicide; through joining a quilt group they became part of a community that supports each other. This may be from knowing that their square is part of a quilt alongside others, or from physically getting together and coming to know others who have suffered the same. There are now suicide memorial quilts across many counties of the UK, with more being created and added to all the time.

Devising this site, we have retained the idea of a single Square which captures the key elements of each individual. However, recognising that there is always much more to say, we have built the site so that every family and group of friends has a full page to express the personality of their loved one, and the devastating sense of loss that is felt at their passing.