For those whose mothers are no longer living, Mother’s Day can be a difficult holiday to celebrate. For the past six years, though, Dead Mother’s Day Brunch in Birmingham has helped make it a little easier by offering attendees food, music and the chance to share the stories of the mothers they love and miss.

Dead Mother’s Day Brunch got its start when two long-time friends, Mia Watkins and Glenny Brock, ran into each other in the canned goods aisle of a local grocery store in 2017. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, the conversation turned to how difficult the holiday can be for those whose moms have died.

Watkins’ mother, Dani Watkins, died in 2015 due to complications from multiple sclerosis — making it her second Mother’s Day since her mom’s death — while Brocks’ mother, Nancy Brock, was killed in a car accident in 1985.

“Mia asked, ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me how horrible Mother’s Day was going to be?’” said Brock, of the conversation. “We groused about discount bouquets and mattress sales and every restaurant in town offering Mother’s Day brunch. Suddenly, we were both crying in front of canned beans. I truly don’t remember who said it first. Mia thinks I did, but I swear it was she. One of us said, ‘You know what we ought to do? We ought to have a dang Dead Mother’s Day brunch.’”

While who said it first (and whether they were joking at the time) is still up for debate, Dead Mother’s Day Brunch became an idea the pair decided to see through, and six years later, Brock and Watkins both said they’re happy they did.

Dead Mother’s Day Brunch takes place at Rojo Bar and Grill in Birmingham each year, with this year’s event planned for Saturday, May 10 — the day before Mother’s Day. And while the name might make some expect it to be a somber occasion, Watkins said it’s the opposite for most attendees.

During the brunch, which Brock describes as being “like Día De Los Muertos, with scrambled eggs on the menu,” attendees can enjoy a variety of breakfast dishes and beverages while listening to lively jazz music, signing the event registry and sharing stories about the mothers they love and miss. Those who would like to can also bring a framed photo of their mother, which will be hung on the wall of another Birmingham spot — Mom’s Basement.

“It’s not like a funeral,” said Watkins. “It’s just a very relaxed environment and a very lighthearted event. You know, you come, you share stories about your mom. Cry if you want to. You laugh if you want to. You drink, you eat. So it’s not as harsh, I guess, as the name would suggest. It’s a very chill time.”

The popularity of the Dead Mother’s Day Brunch has grown since its creation, with more than 30 people attending last year. Brock and Watkins said they hope the brunch can provide a place of refuge and a joyful environment where those who attend can feel welcome and safe, regardless of their stage of grief.

“The first year, more than a dozen people said to us, ‘I’m just so relieved.’ We’ve heard that a lot over the years,” said Brock.

Of course, Dead Mother’s Day Brunch isn’t just for others. Watkins said the experience has also played a large role in helping her cope with her own grief through the years.

“It’s helped me tremendously,” said Watkins. “It’s really, really nice to hear people talk about their mothers and hear about those special bonds that other people have with their moms, because you know your mom is your first home. She’s your first friend, most of the time. And that loss, I kind of liken it to a bomb going off, or at least that’s how it felt for me…So it’s kind of giving me something to look forward to at a time of year where there’s not a whole lot to look forward to. Just knowing that, like, I have something to go to that’ll accept me in any form that I take, because the thing about grief is that you never know.”

And while they prepare for this year’s event this Saturday, Watkins and Brock both said they plan to continue the tradition long into the future, as a way to help others as well as themselves.

“I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done — and I say that as someone who helped save the Lyric Theatre,” said Brock. “Dead Mother’s Day Brunch has opened me to the possibility of celebrating grief — of experiencing grief but not being crushed by it.”

Dead Mother’s Day Brunch will take place from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Rojo Birmingham. For more information, view the event page on Facebook.