St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood, Essex, will hold its annual Light Up a Life services on Thursday, December 11 at 7pm and Saturday, December 13 at 4pm.
The services offer a chance to reflect on the lives of those who have died or are not present, and to celebrate lasting memories with others.
Both gatherings will include music from The Salvation Army and a local choir, seasonal readings, and refreshments.
Guests will also be able to browse festive stalls in the hospice dining room.
Hollie Roberson, who will be attending this year’s service in memory of her late husband Harry, said: “It’s been almost a year and a half since my brave husband Harry died, and I think about him every day.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better husband or father to our girls.
“That’s why we’ll be dedicating a star to Harry at this year’s Light up a Life with St Clare Hospice.”
Ms Roberson shared how the hospice gave her family comfort in their most difficult moments.
She said: “The nurses made Harry’s room feel so homely— they even hung pictures on the walls.
“There was a bed for me in the room too, so I could stay close.
“Everyone was so caring.
“They thought of everything to make sure Harry and I could be together day and night in those final weeks.”
The December 13 service will include a special arts and crafts session at 2.30pm for children, led by the hospice’s patient and family support team.
Children will be able to create something meaningful to remember their loved one, with the option for their work to be included in a poem during the service.
The Light Up a Life services are open to all, regardless of faith or whether they have received care from St Clare Hospice.
Additional services will also be held in Loughton, Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow, Stansted, Waltham Abbey, Hatfield Heath, and Ongar throughout November and December.
