Douch Family Funeral Directors reintroduces trees of remembrance
The funeral directors said anyone from the community is invited to write a message for a loved one and to then hang it from the tree.
Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors is again inviting people to leave messages on Christmas trees in memory of lost loved ones.
The trees of remembrance are located at Douch and Small in Wimborne, AE Jolliffe and Son in Ferndown, Lesley Shand in Corfe Mullen and Blandford, Ives and Shand in Parkstone and Albert Marsh in Wareham.
Additionally, the group’s James Smith branch in Swanage has sponsored Christmas trees at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Swanage and St George’s Church in Langton Matravers, upon which messages can be left.
The company said anyone from the community is invited to these branches to write a message for a loved one and to then hang it from the tree.
Meanwhile, Douch Family Funeral Directors is also raising awareness and funds for Will Does, its new charity of the year, which is dedicated to the memory of William Paddy who passed away at the age of 14.
The charity helps young people through the promotion of education, physical health, mental health and social inclusion.
Melissa Keen, office manager at the Lesley Shand branch, said: “We have done this for a number of years and it really helps people.
“Anyone can pop into a branch, write a message and hang it from the tree – it doesn’t matter how long ago the loved one passed away.”
She added: “For many it will be the first Christmas without a wife, husband, mother or father and the words are very moving.
“A tree of remembrance is a wonderful way to capture special memories and to celebrate a life.”
