Every year, funeral directors Albin and Sons hold a service in their Memorial Garden, bringing the community together to remember loved ones
For 2023, the Memorial Garden Remembrance Service will be held on Wednesday 6 December. Gates open at 6pm and the memorial will begin at 7pm.
The festive season is a joyous occasion, but we’re often also reminded of those who can’t be with us as we celebrate with family and friends with empty seats at the table.
Taking time to remember those people and shining a light on their lives is important. That is why, since 1999, funeral directors Albin and Sons has hosted a memorial service in their memorial garden for the people of Bermondsey.
For 2023, the Memorial Garden Remembrance Service will be held on Wednesday 6 December. Gates open at 6pm and the memorial will begin at 7pm.
Simon Dyer, joint managing director at Albin and Sons, tells The Biscuit that they’ve been doing the service since they opened the Memorial Garden all those years ago, “and it’s grown and grown into quite a big event”.
Annual service
The service welcomes a crowd of up to 2,000 people, and they also run a live stream for those who struggle to attend in person. This year, those attending the service will enjoy a gospel choir as part of the event.
Simon tells The Biscuit: “The garden is a special place that my father created in the heart of Bermondsey so people could have their loved ones close by.
“It’s a small place, Bermondsey, but it’s quite a big place at the same time. Many people have connections to the area, come from the area and come back to the area.
“The garden is an important place now, and the service is an opportunity to give back to the community, celebrating and remembering all of those loved ones we’ve lost. People really appreciate coming together at this time of year.”
He explains of the event: “There is a Christmas tree up in the gardens from early December where families can collect little gold stars to write a message to their loved ones on. They hand them to us on the night and, during the service, we put them up on the tree.
“The ashes of all of the stars from previous years are gathered together in an ark, which is brought out for the service every year.”
‘The memorial service is a journey of emotions for families’
As Simon reflects on previous years, he tells The Biscuit that it is a “really lovely event”.
He says: “It’s a warm atmosphere of people coming together to remember their loved ones. It’s very emotional, we try to keep happy memories at the forefront but there are some very sad moments. It’s a journey of emotions for families, but we try to finish on a bit of a high.
“We have mulled wine and Christmas puddings to warm people up after the service, too.”
The event is free but, on the night, Albin and Sons will be accepting donations, which will be given to the local Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Foundation and charity Child Bereavement UK.
Albin and Sons has also had an extension this year, which Simon says should be open by the Memorial Service and hopes to use it for guests on the night.
Albin and Sons Memorial Garden Remembrance Service 2023 will be held on Wednesday 6 December. Gates open at 6pm. The service will commence at 7pm
Albin Memorial Garden, 52 Culling Road, SE16 2TN
