Candlelit memories to warm the heart at Verulam Hospice’s Tree of Remembrance
Verulam Hospice Tree of Remembrance visitors are invited to light a candle in honor of someone special.
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VERULAM REGIONAL HOSPICE is preparing to host one of its most tender and comforting community traditions as the year draws to a close, the annual Tree of Remembrance Ceremony, taking place this Friday.
For many families who have walked the difficult path of loss, this gentle candlelight gathering has become a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the memories of loved ones who still live deeply in their hearts.
For R20 per entry, visitors are invited to light a candle in honour of someone special. Each tiny flame is a symbol of love carried forward, a tribute that turns grief into light and transforms the Hospice grounds into a warm, shimmering space of shared remembrance. As dusk settles, hundreds of flickering candles will create a peaceful atmosphere where memories feel close, names are spoken softly, and tears are welcomed as part of the healing process.
Organisers say the ceremony is never one of sadness alone but also of gratitude, comfort and community. “The Tree of Remembrance brings people together in a way that words often cannot,” said the hospice’s deputy president, Soshi Chetty. “There is something sacred in standing side by side, remembering the people who shaped our lives.”
The evening will feature a soothing candlelight concert, with local artists offering gentle, nostalgic music to hold the emotional space. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and deck chairs and to settle in under the open sky. A variety of food stalls will be available, adding warmth and a sense of togetherness as neighbours share a meal and conversation.
This year’s ceremony also includes a thoughtful addition, a dedicated branch of the tree to honour women whose lives were lost through violence. While the event remains centred on personal remembrance, this small symbolic gesture acknowledges the deep collective grief felt across many households and invites the community to hold space for healing and solidarity.
The Hospice team emphasises that the annual Tree of Remembrance is not only for families receiving Hospice support. The ceremony is open to anyone seeking a quiet moment of reflection, whether remembering a parent, sibling, friend, neighbour, or even a beloved community figure who is no longer with us.
Gates open at 4 pm, with tickets available at the gate or through Nova at 083 367 2559.
As the candles glow and the evening unfolds, the Verulam Regional Hospice hopes that every visitor finds a moment of peace, a gentle reminder that love, in all its forms, never truly leaves us.