Candle Service and Light Up a Life 2024
Each year the Alder Centre holds this non-denominational service of remembrance at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
It is a time when together we remember and honour your children. During the Candle Service there are readings, songs and many candles are lit. It’s a service of reflection and hope. In 2024, our Candle Service took place as an in person and live streamed event on Friday 13th December at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
View the order of service online
The Service was live streamed on the official Alder Hey YouTube channel, which you can watch back below:
Get involved
If you would like to volunteer to be involved in our Candle Service, for example to share a reading or poem or help light candles on the night, we would love to hear from you. We would especially love to hear from any siblings who may like to be a part of the service.
Get in touch on 0151 252 5391 or email [email protected] to express your interest and arrange a chat!
Children’s names
If you wish to register your child’s name to be remembered during the Candle Service, please complete our online form.
Children’s names previously registered with The Alder Centre will be displayed – there is no need to re-register. Please do let us know if you do not wish your child’s name to be shown during the online virtual service.
Messages leaves
Please send your personal message online. We will print each message received onto our leaves. Each leaf will then be placed on
The Alder Centre tree during the service. The tree and leaves are then displayed in The
Alder Centre all year round.
You can watch last year’s service below:
Light Up a Life 2024
A Christmas themed service at the Alder Centre, where the Alder Centre Tree is lit up in remembrance of all the children. Refreshments will be served afterwards. Please note: The Light up a Life event is outdoors with standing room only and approximately one hour long.
Sunday, December 1st 2024 at 6pm
A Christmas-themed service at the Alder Centre with refreshments served afterwards.
On this night we turn on the lights, to mark the start of Light Up a Life. For all the children gone too soon, we remember, as the lights remain shining throughout December.
Please note: This event is outdoors with standing room only and lasts for approximately 1 hour.
Book of Remembrance
A Book of Remembrance is kept in The Alder Centre. You may have an inscription included and the book is there at any time for you to look at. Every Year, on the anniversary of a child’s death, it is opened to the inscribed page as a celebration of your child’s life and to mark their passing.
The Alder Centre also has an electronic Remembrance Book, where you can design your own pages and include photographs and music.
Please contact us if you would like and inscription in the Remembrance Book or to develop your own pages for your child in our electronic book.