A ROMSEY crematorium is holding its annual Christmas Carol and memorial service in December.

Test Valley Crematorium has issued an open invitation for local residents to attend the event on Wednesday, December 13.

The festive gathering will provide an opportunity for families and friends to come together and remember their loved ones in the run-up to Christmas, a time when people can particularly feel their losses.

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The service starts at 7pm and will include a selection of readings and popular Christmas Carols. It is free to attend, and no advance booking is required.

Visitors will be able to write personal message tags which will be put onto a memory tree and will also be able to post cards, letters and messages in the crematorium’s Letters to Heaven memorial post box, which was installed earlier this year.

Test Valley Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners-operators of crematoria and cemeteries.

Manager Robert Metcalf said: “Our annual Christmas Carol and Memorial Service provides a fitting way for people to reflect and honour their loved ones during the festive season.

“For some, especially if they are quite recently bereaved, the festive period is often a time when they feel their loss more.

“This service provides a chance for people to not only pay tribute to their loved ones but also be in the company of other people who are in a similar situation, which in itself can be a source of comfort.

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“We know, from feedback we’ve had in previous years, that the service brings some solace and peace to local people at this time of year.

“Our Christmas carol service is open for anyone and everyone who lives, works or who is visiting the communities surrounding our crematorium in leading up to Christmas. Everyone is welcome.”

Those who are unable to attend on the night but wish to view the service as a live webcast should visit events.obitus.com/, enter the username “testvalley” and the password “star”.

For more information, visit testvalleycrematorium.co.uk.