This years Memorial Service will be taking place on Thursday 6th December, 6:30pm at Derby Cathedral.

More than 800 people are expected to attend a special early evening Service of Remembrance and Hope at Derby Cathedral. Wathall’s is Derby’s longest established independent funeral directors and this annual service will be our final event to mark our 160th anniversary year.

Over the past decade, we have organised this memorial service – inviting families who have lost loved ones during the last 12 months and beyond.

Members of Derby and Ashbourne Dandelions bereavement support groups, which is organised and funded by Wathall’s as well as representatives from local churches, hospitals and nursing homes will be joining us on the evening too.

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’.

The Wathall’s team will then serve refreshments and everyone is invited to light a candle and hang a message of remembrance on one of our three memory Christmas tree.

Our 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.”

Should you not be able to make the service, but would like a copy of the service sheet, please call 01332 345268 and ask for Bec, who will be able to post one out to you.