Woodville Co-operative Funeralcare hosts two Christmas memorial events for families
Families are being invited to light a candle to a lost loved one at a Christmas memorial service in Woodville – one of two events being organised by Woodville Co-operative Funeralcare to help the bereaved over the festive season.
The service will take place on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 4pm at Woodville Methodist Church and will also feature prayers, hymns, poems and a time for reflection, ending with carol singing.
Woodville Co-operative Funeralcare staff Lorraine Walker (left) and bereavement and community co-ordinator Angela Bowyer who are inviting families to join them in remembering relatives and friends at Christmas.
The occasion is being hosted for the second year running by the funeral home in Granville Street after the inaugural service attracted a large gathering.
Each member of the congregation will be given a card, on which to write a message, and a candle. They will then have the opportunity to place the card in a prayer basket and light the candle in memory of a relative or a friend. A flower and a gift will be handed to each person as they step forward, while music is played during the act of remembering. This will be followed by a blessing of the candles and cards.
Reverend Sue Rolls, minister of Woodville Methodist Church, will conduct the service, with Woodville Co-op funeral director Lorraine Walker and bereavement and community co-ordinator Angela Bowyer reading the poems. There will be a rendition of O come all ye faithful and Amanda Woodward, general manager of the funeral home, will give the closing thanks.service
Afterwards refreshments, including mince pies and cakes, will be served. Donations gratefully received will be given to St Giles Hospice in Whittington.
A Tree of Memories day will also be held on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at the Woodville Co-op funeral home from 2pm to 7pm. During this time visitors can write a card for someone who was special to them and hang it on a Christmas tree. Tea and coffee, and light refreshments, will be served.
Lorraine said: “In our line of work, we are very much aware that Christmastime can be a very hard time for families who have lost someone they loved dearly. That’s why we wanted to do something to support the bereaved. The Tree of Memories day proved very popular last year with the community, as did the memorial service. People told us they felt very comforted by these events, and we warmly welcome people to join us again this year.”
Angela added: “Anyone who can’t come along to the Tree of Memories day can call us instead on 01283 217237 and we will place a card on the Christmas tree for them.
“We keep all the cards permanently in a memorial plinth at our funeral home so that the sentiments expressed on them are recorded for posterity.”