‘There were tears, smiles and prayers’

About 400 people gathered at Háteigskirkja to remember Benjamín Guðmundsson, who died in a car crash on Krýsuvíkurvegur. A separate memorial service took place at Lágfellskirkja for Arndís Halla Guðlaugsdóttir, who also died in the crash and came from Mosfellsbær.

Helga Soffía Konráðsdóttir, the church’s pastor, said the service brought together teenagers and young adults from the parish, along with others who had known Benjamín, who had been confirmed at the church. Young people had the chance to meet and mourn together.

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I learned once again that by opening the churches and giving people a place and a channel for their grief in this way, it is immeasurably valuable.

Candles were lit throughout the church, and people remained for about an hour after the formal service. They sat quietly, talked and supported one another. The program moved between piano music, words of encouragement and prayers that named the three young people who died.

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Ordinary citizens are taking this very much to heart, and some may have teenagers who are beginning to drive cars. News like this can really shake you.

“By opening the churches and giving people a place and a channel for their grief in this way, I learned once again that it is immeasurably valuable,” Helga Soffía said. She added that such events affect the wider community, including people with teenagers who are beginning to drive.

“There were tears, smiles and prayers,” she said.

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There were tears, smiles and prayers.