Grief on the Farm: Why Coming Together Matters

In the aftermath of a death, life seems to unfairly continue without pause, especially on a farm. Having intentional time to come together to remember those we’ve lost is a vital part of grieving and healing. Whether it’s an informal conversation at the kitchen table or a more structured ceremony, Embrace FARM speaks to the importance of gathering.

The Relentless Nature of Farm Life

Among the farm families we support, a common sentiment is that there’s no option to stop and grieve. The farm business must continue: animals need feeding, families need care, and land needs managing. It’s a line of work that rarely accommodates grief, making it all the more important to create space to remember and mourn those we’ve lost.

Community in Grief: A Deep Irish Tradition

Ireland has always been a community-driven country—one where neighbours come together in times of grief, loss, and sadness. When Brian Rohan’s father, Liam, died suddenly while working on machinery, their family witnessed the power of community. Friends, neighbours, and loved ones showed up in the aftermath of Liam’s tragic death.

From this experience, Brian and Norma Rohan founded Embrace FARM to honour those seriously injured or lost within farm families. This led to the creation of Embrace FARM’s Annual Remembrance Service, held on the last Sunday of June each year in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. The service invites all those affected by life-changing injuries or sudden deaths in the farming community to come together, support one another, and remember those they’ve lost.

Gathering in Everyday Moments

Gathering doesn’t always have to be a formal mass or ceremony. It can be showing up in smaller, meaningful ways—bringing a neighbour to the shops, meeting for a cup of tea, or going for a walk and chat. These moments may seem small, but they carry immense emotional value. Being remembered and having the space to share memories of a loved one can be deeply healing.

A Unique Grief Within the Farming Community

For farm families grieving the death of a loved one or someone in the wider agricultural community, the grief is specific—one that only others in the same world can fully understand. While everyone experiences grief at some point, the farming context adds layers that make communal support even more essential.

Grief is a personal journey, different for each individual. Yet, there is great emotional strength in coming together to remember those we’ve lost.

Join Us in Remembrance

If you are part of a farm family and would like your loved one’s name remembered at Embrace FARM’s Annual Remembrance Service, please email info@embracefarm.com with their name, county, year of death, and a photo.

For more information, visit: www.embracefarm.com/remembrance-service