Family service remembers children who have died

– Sarah Schwager
A CHILDREN’S Christmas Remembrance Service was held at The Necropolis, Springvale, on Sunday in what organisers described as a moving event.
It was the first time such a service had been held there, and was designed to allow families to bring the spirit of Christmas to their children’s resting place.
The candle-lit service included carol singing by the Ashton Smith Singers, the lighting of lanterns and of the Christmas tree, and the placing of messages of love on the tree.
The Necropolis’ chief executive officer, Russ Allison, said it was “an incredibly moving night”.
Mr Allison said there were more than 300 people in attendance, varying from pregnant mums to grandparents of deceased children.
“I was quite amazed at the sheer number of people at the service,” he said.
“Obviously there is a need for it.”
He said families had requested the special service, which was conducted by celebrant Rosemary Kerlin, to bring Christmas to their children.
“There were mums with little babes where the twin had died at birth, and grandparents who had come by themselves either to mourn a child lost long ago or for a grandchild.”
Those attending wrote a message on a Christmas card, then as their child’s name was called they came forward to receive a lantern, lit a candle within it, and then placed the card on the Christmas tree.
They also collected a certificate certifying the name and celestial location of the star named in memory of the children.
Mr Allison said after singing carols, having supper and watching the tree being lit up, each family took their lantern home as a Christmas decoration.