Wathall's hold special service for bereaved families to remember loved ones

Wathall’s Memorial Service Gives Families Time to Remember Loved Ones

More than 800 people are expected to attend a special early evening Service of Remembrance and Hope at Derby Cathedral on Thursday December 6 organised by family-owned funeral directors, Wathall’s.

Wathall’s is Derby’s longest established independent funeral directors and the annual service will be the final event to mark the company’s 160th anniversary year.

The company organises the memorial service every year – inviting families who have lost loved ones during this and past years.

They will be joined by members of Derby and Ashbourne Dandelions bereavement support groups, which is organised by Wathall’s as well as representatives from local churches, hospitals and nursing homes.

The early evening inter-faith service will include Christmas carols, readings and will finish with the moving poem by a 13-year-old boy ‘My First Christmas in Heaven’.

Staff from Wathall’s branches in Derby, Alvaston, Borrowash and Ashbourne will then serve refreshments and families are invited to light a candle and hang a message of remembrance on a memory Christmas tree.

Managing Director Helen Wathall is the fifth generation of her family to run the business.

She explained: “We organised the first service in 2008 and it has grown every year with some people coming every year to remember a family member – joined by those who have been more recently bereaved.

“The memorial service is an opportunity to remember their loved ones at what is an especially difficult time of year.

“Every year we support a local charity at the service and expect to raise around £1,000 for Derby Stroke Club which meets in the city every fortnight – supporting people who have suffered a stroke, their families and carers.”

For more information about places available at the memorial service and about joining Derby and Ashbourne Dandelions, please call Wathall’s Tel: 01332 345268 or visit www.wathalls.co.uk

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