Details

The 2026 To Absent Friends festival will take place across Scotland from 1-7 November 2026.

It is an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people we love who have died. To Absent Friends, a People’s Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance is an opportunity to revive lost traditions and create new ones.

The Scheme welcomes new events as part of the festival.

A small grants fund has been set up to support organisations to put on remembrance events as part of this year’s To Absent Friends festival.

Two types of small grants (of up to £275) are available:

• Community grants:
  • These are for organisations and communities who want to plan private remembrance events at which their community can come together (in person or online) to share memories, stories and solace.
• Public grants:
  • These are for organisations who want to organise an interactive public event such as a concert, exhibition or installation, freely open to members of the public.

The fund aims to support activities that provide opportunities for storytelling and/or remembrance of people who have died.

The range of ways in which organisations can participate is wide and varied.

In previous years, events have included:

• concerts
• poetry nights
• craft activities
• storytelling suppers
• exhibitions
• gardening activities
• movies for children

Some ideas of relevant activities organisations might wish to undertake are available in this Guide to Organising an Event, but they also encourage creative and innovative ideas that feel right to local groups and communities.

They are keen to support:

• Events that celebrate and remember a person or people who have died – whether recently or long ago.

AND/OR

• Events that strengthen community connections by bringing people together to share stories and solace.

The festival was initiated by Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, but groups don’t need permission to take part in To Absent Friends. GLGDGG have created some resources, event guides, and templates that anyone can use for hosting a To Absent Friends activity of their own. If you’d like to get involved, check out the information and resources.

Premium information is available exclusively to SCVO members and supporters

Geographical areas funded: Scotland

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Revenue

Fund award sizes

Maximum:

Premium information

Who can apply

Any organisation with a bank account can apply for a grant. We would encourage applications from:

• charities
• community groups
• care homes
• NHS organisations
• small businesses
• prisons
• arts organisations
• schools
• education institutions

When to apply

Currently closed to applications.

How to apply

A short grant application form and guidance notes for applicants are available to download on their website.

Email Samara Leibner ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Contact information

Activites funded: Citizenship and community involvement General charitable activities Health care and wellbeing Recreation and social activities

Beneficiaries funded: General public Local communities

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Last reviewed 18 days ago