The third annual Embrace Farm Remembrance mass service takes place this weekend on Sunday, June 26, this year in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.

The ecumenical remembrance service is held on the last Sunday of June each year to remember those lost and seriously injured on the farms of Ireland.

Embrace Farm was founded in 2014 to provide a bereavement support group for farm families who, like them, have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury in a farming accident.

Brian Rohan, founder of Embrace Farm, has said that in addition to this year’s service Embrace Farm is adding a family weekend for young children who have lost either their Dad or young sibling in a farm accident.

“The purpose of this weekend is to do something fun with the kids and bring families from similar situations together in an attempt to help them connect with each other and share their stories.”

Embrace Farm has no dedicated funding, we have been very fortunate to have benefitted from many fundraisers organised by kind supporters.

“This funding along with some very generous donations from Agribusiness is helping to finance the family weekend and Remembrance Service.”

Embrace Farm wants to help and support families with their service as a farm accident, whether fatal or causing serious trauma, can leave awful and lifelong consequences.

Norma Rohan said that even opening up and talking to people is a huge step for some, particularly men.

“We don’t underestimate the size of that step for people but we do know it’s worth it. There’s a lot to be gained from talking to people who know exactly what you’ve been through.

“You get real empathy and understanding and the toll on farm families from accidents has been so devastating that there’s an awful lot of trauma to deal with. ”

If you would like the name of your loved one remembered at this year’s service, please get in touch with Embrace Farm with their name by calling +353 (0)85-7709966 or emailing [email protected] or through Facebook.