About 200 people came to remember those who had died in palliative care over the past 12 months as part of an annual event organised by Orange Palliative Care Service support staff which has run yearly for nearly two decades.

The event is designed to bring bereaved families and nurses back together after the death of loved ones, which is part of palliative care supporting people to deal with grief.

Sandra Russell's husband Robert Griffin - whose grandchildren knew as "Bobby" - died 12 months ago on Tuesday, and she was in attendance on Saturday.

She was one of more than 50 people who'd put together felt squares which staff had put together into two quilts, with the square remembering Mr Griffin featuring a photo he'd taken in France.

"He was called the plant hunter because that's what he did, he hunted rare plants and took photos of them," she said.

Ms Russell said the squares were a lovely concept, and she'd put hers together "to thank palliative care".

"They're such an amazing team and nothing is a problem to them, there's genuine care and empathy," she said.

Orange Palliative Care Service doctor Louis Christie said Saturday's event, which included a service, readings and an opportunity for bereaved families to come forward with memories, photos and messages to stick onto a whiteboard, was the largest one they'd held.

"The service is getting busier every year, it reflects the fact people need time and want time to come back to remember their loved ones and the people we've looked after and it fills a need for people in the community," Dr Christie said.

"A significant part of our work is bereavement support, and a number of volunteers have been working with them for a long time. Obviously we look after people who are dying and the service is there for people after someone dies."

"It's helpful to re-engage with people."

Palliative Care specialist nurse Linda Harvey said the quilt was first put together 10 years ago and the idea was revived last year, but she'd been overwhelmed by the response in 2019.

She also said the day was important to both bereaved people and medical staff.

"We sent out 70 squares and got 54 of them back," she said.

"It's been therapeutic for the team and being able to involve families and the way we've sold it to the families is it's about keeping the memory of their loved ones alive."