Oldham Co-op Funeralcare hosts annual Christmas memorial service

Hosted at the Co-op funeral home on John Street in Oldham, the service was led by funeral directors Rebecca Shipley and Shannan Back

The Oldham Co-op Funeralcare Care Centre team's annual Christmas Memorial service has taken place. 

Hosted at the Co-op funeral home on John Street in Oldham, the service was led by funeral directors Rebecca Shipley and Shannan Back, with the funeralcare team seeking to cater to all religious beliefs.

The service was designed to give members of the local community the opportunity to reflect on the loss of their loved ones, lighting a candle in their memory.

With over half of UK adults (54%) having experienced the loss of a loved one in the last five years, the memorial service was a welcomed initiative aimed at helping those who have experienced bereavement speak openly about their experience, and find support amongst members of the local community.

In addition to the service, colleagues at the Co-op Funeralcare in Oldham also put up a Memorial Christmas Tree.

Located within the John Street funeral home, the tree aims to offer locals the opportunity to celebrate the memory of their loved ones that they’ve lost over the past year.

Those wishing to help decorate the Christmas tree can still do so by popping into the funeral home to write a personal note to their lost loved ones on a ‘memory bauble’, which will be hung on the Christmas tree throughout the festive season.

Rebecca Shipley, funeral director at the Oldham Co-op Funeralcare, said: “We know Christmas can be especially difficult when you’ve experienced bereavement, which is why every year we put together a memorial service to support our community during the holiday season. 

"We hope the memorial service allowed those in our community who are struggling with grief to share their experiences in a safe space, and connect with others living in or around Oldham who may relate to their feelings.

"And of course, anyone who needs to chat but missed the service can pop into our funeral home at any time, and they will be welcomed with open arms.” 

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