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On April 20, young nurse Sophie Bryant-Myles arrived for her first night shift at Bradford City Hospital in West Yorkshire. During her shift, she learned that there was a young man in the ward with many health problems and a suspected case of Covid-19. She was told that he was unlikely to survive and that the hospital was providing him with palliative care.
Next to his bed, Sophie saw a woman in full protective gear: gloves, a mask, a special apron, and a transparent shield covering her eyes. She turned out to be the bride of a dying man. They had been together for 15 years and had a growing daughter, but the young couple kept postponing the wedding – either there was not enough money or there was not enough time. The situation was heartbreaking, and Sophie made a decision: she called the hospital chaplain, Joe Fielder, and asked if he could marry the couple right away.
Sophie Bryant-Myles initiated the wedding of a dying patient. Joe said that he will only be able to perform the ceremonial part of the wedding: this marriage will not have legal force, but they will be able to say the sacred “I do” to each other. They will take an oath with the words “till death do us part,” and in general they will have everything that people have in church, but with adjustments for hospital conditions. Joe came over, made them foil rings, and FaceTimed their daughter so she could be there, albeit virtually. It was a very touching ceremony, Joe was great – he managed to make booklets with the names of the bride and groom and the words of the hymns and prayers spoken by the participants. The bride took it with understanding that she, like all of us, would have to wear a full protective suit, and her groom would have a mask on his face. But still, they were terribly happy with everything that was happening.
The number of employees in the store just before the wedding. Joe was also dressed in full protective gear. It looks like he was sweating. Then we organized a small photo shoot because they both wanted it. We tried to make this wedding as authentic as possible. There was even a cake. She understood perfectly that he had only a few hours to live. They knew they were doing something together for the last time, and they wanted to. At least it would be their last memory together. We all cried.
“I want to do everything I can to help people feel worthy in every situation,” says Joe Fielder. For medical reasons, he was not expected to survive the night, so I conducted a service very similar to a church wedding, with the exchange of vows and many other nuances. The patient tried his best to say the words, sometimes it was difficult because of breathing problems. His fiancée also tried her best, but was overcome by tears, while family members laughed and cried at the same time. And all this happened in protective suits, something unreal. But the patient died knowing that he said important words, and his family knows that he died in peace. His wife is also very grateful for the opportunity to make a vow. I want to do everything I can to help people feel worthy, loved and cared for in every situation. I am very grateful for the opportunity to help them strengthen their love.
The wife and daughter of the deceased are not ready to comment yet, it is too early, the funeral has not even taken place, but they have agreed to publish this story.