It has been a labour of love for Jonathan, a 52 year-old father of three, who has seen the charity grow rapidly over the last few years. There are now 160 new tribute websites being created and over 50,000 website visitors every day.
MuchLoved works in partnership with nearly 2,000 funeral director branches. It enables funeral directors to offer their clients outstanding bereavement support with a beautiful tribute page. It also enables their clients to collect funeral donations for any charities of their choice. And it enables funeral directors to easily display service details and arrangements in one place on their website.
The charity employs 20 people and is based in Amersham, where Jonathan lives too.
Jonathan decided to set up MuchLoved following the death of his brother. Philip had a healthy enthusiasm for life, an intelligent mind, and a warm nature. In 1995, when he was in his final year at university, he died as a result of taking drugs.
‘His death at the age of 21 was sudden, and unexpected, and an overwhelming shock,’ said Jonathan. For a long time afterwards, there was plenty of darkness in my life. I had to keep going when I just wanted to scream.
‘I was keen to create an online memorial to Phil, a legacy that could show many of his happy years and make it easy for his school and university friends to view, make contact and maybe add pictures and thoughts of their own. I did some research but couldn’t find an appropriate service available. That’s when I first had the idea for MuchLoved.’
Just three years later Jonathan’s mother died. ‘After Phil’s death I saw the joy drain from her eyes and it never really came back,’ he recalls. In 1997 Pamela was diagnosed with bowel cancer and died a year later at the age of 55. Her death made Jonathan more determined than ever to make MuchLoved happen. He wanted to help others with their grief.
MuchLoved became a registered charity in 2007. It enables people to create a personalised, and free online tribute site in memory of their loved one where they can share memories, thoughts and stories with families and friends as well as light candles, add music, photos, and videos. They can also collect fundraising donations for a special charity or project in their name, organise events, and celebrate anniversaries.
‘Sometimes I worry that we could do so much more,’ said Jonathan. ‘There are so many being bereaved every day. We are in such a good position to help more people, and I can see the potential.
‘I am still as passionate as ever about MuchLoved. It’s been a lot of work, a lot of strain, but also a lot of joy and fun. I’m so lucky to have such a fantastic team that put their heart and soul into it.
‘I think it has been a success because from the outset we put the needs of bereaved people first, and that’s always underpinned all our development and everything we do.
‘We have amazing partnerships. We set up a training team this year and we have been busy building digital resources and much improved literature. We are building our technical team; the support team has been building and all the departments are getting better and better.
‘Of course, I wish Phil had never died. But I’ve accepted his death and used it to inspire life. I feel fortunate that his death led me to do something I’m immensely proud of, something that has made a difference. Some good has come out of it.
‘I think Phil would be chuffed and he’d be very supportive, and that’s a motivation for me. Thinking about the unique support that MuchLoved provides to people at a difficult time is what drives me now.’
For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Rebecca Noble on 01494 722818, email support@muchloved.com
