Funeral branches run by the East of England Co-operative Society are again offering families and friends the opportunity to remember their loved ones at Christmas time.

The Christmas Tree to Remember scheme, run at the Society’s funeral branches in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, offers the chance to write a message on a card in memory of family and friends and tie it to the tree.

People are also offered the opportunity to make a donation in memory of someone special, with any funds collected going to local hospices; St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich, St Helena Hospice in Colchester, St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds and Priscilla Bacon Lodge in Norwich.

Chris Doggett, Bereavement Services Manager, said: “The Christmas Tree to Remember scheme offers anyone wanting to remember a loved one a chance to place a card of remembrance on one of our trees.

“Last year our local hospices were well supported by local people who chose to make a donation in someone’s memory.  In total we raised more than £2000, and we are delighted to be supporting them again this year.”

The East of England Co-operative Society is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia and is a leading bereavement services provider in the region with 29 funeral branches located across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

PHOTO CAPTION: Hanging a card on the Christmas Tree to Remember.

Note to Editors:
• The East of England Co-operative Society is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia and has over 200 trading outlets which are located in 74 towns and villages, including the three regional centres of Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester.

• The Society’s diverse business activities include: supermarkets and food stores, travel, pharmacy, optical and funeral branches, petrol forecourts and motor dealerships. 

For further information:
Laura Bennett, Public Relations Officer, East of England Co-operative Society,
Wherstead Park, The Street, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ    
E-mail: l.bennett@eastofengland.coop