A memorial is planned for all in South East Edinburgh who suffered as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. It will be situated at Liberton Kirk, Kirkgate, in a spot beside the main path through the Kirkyard to Liberton Cemetery and Liberton Brae. John Young, the Minister at Liberton Kirk, says “The pandemic impacted many different people in different ways, and we want to provide a quiet place of remembrance, especially for those who are still processing the loss of loved ones – both near and far.”

The granite memorial will remember the wide range of suffering during the pandemic as well as those who died. It is hoped that it will be unveiled in early May 2024, the first anniversary of the official close of the pandemic. Whilst those who died will not be remembered by name on the memorial itself, it will be possible for relatives to have their loved ones’ names inscribed on brass plaques on the nearby benches. In future years a short service of remembrance for those who died will be held in early May.

Any surplus received will be given to the care homes run by CrossReach (Church of Scotland), which, like all care homes, had such a difficult time throughout the pandemic.