An annual festival that promotes community involvement in death, dying and bereavement is encouraging local organisations to apply for small grants to host their own events.

The To Absent Friends festival of storytelling and remembrance is an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate, tell stories, and reminisce about loved ones who have died.

Any organisation that would like to take part in this year’s festival, which runs across Scotland from November 1 to 7, is urged to apply for small grants funded by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care (SPPC) charity.

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The festival, which started in 2014, aims to combat stigma around grieving and encourage communities to support active remembrance of the deceased without discomfort or embarrassment, no matter how long ago they passed.

It also provides an opportunity to acknowledge the impact of Covid-19 on communities and gives a grieving platform for those who passed away over lockdown or from the virus.

Two types of small grants of up to £300 are available. Community grants for community organisations to plan private remembrance events and public grants for organisations planning interactive events that are open to the public.

Any organisation with a bank account can apply.

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The festival is inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead and seeks to create a sense of tradition for community remembrance and storytelling about the dead in Scotland.

Rebecca Patterson, director of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, said: "The idea is that it’s okay to talk about people that have died, and if we can do that in one week every year, maybe it will become a bit more normal the rest of the year.”

Several festival events took place across Glasgow last year including memorials, live music events, a photography exhibition, and a Come Dine With Me inspired comedy, storytelling and barbecue event.

They have brought together residents in care homes, hospices, and hospitals, and their families after years of lockdown restrictions prevented people from mourning together.

Other events held in the past have brought together those who are bereaved by similar circumstances like drug or alcohol use and suicide.

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Colin Mackie, who organised an event called Always & Forever last year for Friends of Southern Necropolis, said: "Friends of Southern Necropolis were pleased to have been involved, and we collaborated with local music group Strum for Life from Givin It Laldie.

"Individuals and families were invited along to join together, in taking time to remember and share stories and songs, connected with past family members and friends.

"We all gathered at the Franciscan Circle area of the cemetery, where we shared photographs, stories and some favourite songs that helped rekindle thoughts of those who were sadly no longer with us.

"Everyone present on the day commented on how much they enjoyed the experience, and they all took part in writing messages on our Always & Forever hearts, which were hung on our Memories Tree."

Ms Patterson added: “The idea is that we want people to do what works for them.

“It’s not very prescriptive, we just want people to take part in the festival.”

The idea is that people do what they need to do to remember the deceased, no matter how big or small.

Ms Patterson said: “It’s got a real potential for communities coming together, sharing solace, connecting and getting that warmth.

“There’s been so many people who have been a part of it who’ve said it was just what they needed, or they really got a lot from it, or they found a connection that they weren’t expecting.”

An itinerary of events will be added to the To Absent Friends festival website and applications for small grants close on Thursday, September 22.