Hearts 'connect' grieving families with loved ones

Three Somerset funeral directors are appealing for more crocheted hearts

Handmade crocheted hearts are being gifted to grieving families to "connect" them with their lost loved ones.

Funeral directors in Taunton, Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea have handed out dozens of the knitted hearts, so people can carry them throughout their lives and "feel connected" to their late family member.

Business lead for the three funeral homes, Leon Da Silva, said: "One heart is crocheted for the person that has passed away and is placed in their hand before being buried.

"The second is then given to their family member so that they can carry it with them forever."

The crocheted hearts can be donated to the three funeral homes

A Facebook post about the scheme was shared by hundreds of people on social media. This resulted in dozens of new crocheted hearts being donated.

Bosses at the three funeral homes - called PJ Harris, Nigel K Ford, and Cooksley & Son - are now calling on people to donate even more hearts.

Mr Da Silva said the response on social media has been "really overwhelming".

"It's so nice to see the Weston, Taunton and Burnham community come together for such a good cause. People have been so generous with their crocheted and knitted heart donations," he added.