Families in Suffolk and north Essex are being invited to take part in a new scheme devised by a funeral service to celebrate the life and memory of loved ones.

Ipswich Star: Stowmarket families remember their loved ones with messages on an East of England Co-op Tree to Remember. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDStowmarket families remember their loved ones with messages on an East of England Co-op Tree to Remember. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Contributed)

This winter a special supplement comprised of messages, memories and photographs is due to be launched in time for Christmas.

Launched by the East of England Co-op Funeral Services in partnership with Archant Suffolk and Norfolk, ‘Remembering together this Christmas’ will be available in copies of this newspaper in mid December.

The scheme will run alongside Tree to Remember, an annual initiative which collects thousands of pounds for St Elizabeth Hospice, St Nicholas Hospice, St Helena Hospice and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

Head of the East of England Co-op Funeral Services, Andrew Dawes, said: “Having been supporting generations of local families for over 90 years, we understand that Christmas can be particularly difficult, especially for those who have lost someone dear to them.

“Tree to Remember and our carol concerts and services are an important part of the ongoing support we offer bereaved families in our region.

“We’re very pleased that, with the support of the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star, we’re able to extend our care and support this Christmas.”

Messages and memories should be sent in by Sunday, December 3, for inclusion in the supplement.

Remembering together will also run alongside a series of carol concerts being hosted in Stowmarket, Ipswich, Colchester and Clacton throughout December in the run up to Christmas Day.

Donations for Tree to Remember, which invites people to tie a message or memory to a tree, can be made at each of the East of England Co-op Funeral Services branches and concerts.

Money will be collected between now and January, when the cash raised will be divided equally between the six hospices.

To be part of Remembering together send a message or memory of no more than 40 words, along with a photograph of the person you are remembering, to remembertogether@archant.co.ukFor further details about the concerts and to book tickets, visit www.eastofengland.coop/funerals