Birmingham bereavement bears help families remember loved ones

At the end of Leah Courtney’s garden in Birmingham sits a shed where all the magic happens to create her bears.

Armed with a sewing machine, stuffing and bags of clothing from the loved one who has died, the mum of two spends hours creating custom bears for grieving relatives, to create lasting memories of those who have passed away.

She started creating the bears for bereaved families when her sister’s mother-in-law passed away in 2023 and has now made more than 500 keepsakes, turning the hobby into a full-time job.

“By creating a bear that they can touch, cuddle, appreciate and see everyday, it’s like their relative is still there,” she said.

Her business, Made From Memories, creates the bears with names and messages sewn on to the body, along with voice boxes and vials of ashes available inside the bear.

“I make sure the arms and legs aren’t fixed so you can cuddle the bear; it’s very therapeutic for me and I have a very structured rhythm on how it all comes together,” she said.