Posted on 3rd Dec
Mansfield funeral and wedding celebrant Wayne Swiffin is collating memorial services and events being held in the area over Christmas to try to help people who have lost loved ones.
He said: “While Christmas is often a season of much merriment, partying, and memories being made, it can often be a sad time for people who have lost loved ones.
“For some, it will be the first festive period without a special someone, and they will be finding it hard. Relatives will be remembered. Mums, dads, and grandparents too. Aunts and uncles, friends, and children also.
“But there are a number of events happening across Mansfield and Ashfield over the Christmas period that help people to remember loved ones. Events also show that people are not alone in their grief.
“I’ve have had a look around and these are some I have found – there will be others but feel free to send me a message on Facebook with others and I will add them to my list.”
At Mansfield and District Crematorium, there is a Christmas Memorial Service in the Thoresby Chapel on Saturday, 14th December, at 2pm.
If anyone would like their loved ones featured at the memorial service, they need to send over a photo by Sunday, 8th December. Email the image to [email protected]
The photos will be screened during the service, which features performances by Blidworth Brass Band and vocalist Lauren Polimos, and will be led by Mark Andrew.
Light refreshments will be available afterwards, and any donations on the day will go to the John Eastwood Hospice.
The John Eastwood Hospice also has its Tree of Light, which stands in the Hospice gardens throughout the Christmas season. It is decorated with hundreds of tiny white lights, dedicated to those we remember.
W.S.Ingham & Son Ltd, based on Poplar Grove, Forest Town, says it has had a great response to its Christmas Remembrance Tree tags, and you have until 24th December to pop in and write a message for your loved one.
There is also a dedicated website where people can share a photo and memories. The link is https://wsingham2024.light-up-a-life.org/.
Ken Gregory & Son Funeral Directors is hosting a Christmas Memorial Service to remember loved ones who can’t be with us this year at New Cross Community Church, Sutton, on Tuesday, 3rd December, from 6pm to 7.30pm. The service will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
Ken Gregory & Son Funeral Directors is also holding a memorial service at the Rowan Chapel at its Mansfield branch on Nottingham Road, on 10th December, from 6pm to 7.30pm.
From 2nd to 20th December there will be memorial trees at Ivan Bramley in Mansfield, at G Gilbert Funeral Service in Kirkby, and at Graham Ward Funeral Service in Hucknall.
Gemma Gilbert said: “We find this is a huge benefit to families at this time of year for them to come in, have a nice warm drink, have a few chocolates and write a message for their loved one on our tree. It’s something we’ve been doing for the past five years.”
The Kirkby and Hucknall branches are also holding a memorial service at All Saints Church in Annesley, where people can come and remember loved ones lost and light a candle in their memory.
Gemma added: “We have been doing this service for years and find a lot of people take comfort from it whether religious or not, it’s just their opportunity to remember their one at such a hard time.
“Through December we are also a donation drop-off point for The Beacon Project in Mansfield (Bramley’s) and Under One Roof (Hucknall), and we are collecting food donations to help out with those less fortunate at this time of year.
“Our team feels this time of year is so difficult for some, especially if it’s their first following a loss. We really try and encourage our families whether clients or not to join in with these events as sometimes just a little company and a friendly face can make a difference.”
At A. W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service, which has branches across Mansfield and Ashfield (and further afield), there are memory trees in all of its funeral homes, and these are open to all.
Jonathan Baker, senior funeral director, AW Lymn, said: “Christmas can be an especially difficult time for those who are grieving, particularly if it’s the first festive season without a loved one.
“Many find comfort in the traditions of the season and in special services of remembrance. At AW Lymn, we invite families to write messages on memorial cards as a way of honouring their loved ones and keeping their memory alive during the festive period. It’s a small but meaningful gesture that brings people together and reminds them they are not alone in their grief.”
A Wass Funeral Directors Ltd is hosting a number of invitation-only events for people who have lost loved ones over the past year.
Managing director Paul Brown said: “The memorial services give people comfort as they face their first Christmas without a loved one. They can get together with other families too and talk to each other about their experiences.”
