Special series of readings to take place for Mother’s Day in Merseyside

Communities across Merseyside will be able to come together online to mark Mother’s Day on Sunday with a special series of readings.

Led by the Merseyside Bereavement Team, each local authority will have readings on its social media feeds on Sunday 14 March, that will give people who have lost their mothers, or mothers who have lost children, to come together in a moment of reflection.

The online readings are an alternative to visiting cemeteries and gardens of remembrance on Sunday which are still subject to social distancing guidelines.

Virtual readings will take place at the following times from these locations:

• 10.30am –  GreenAcres Cemetery and Ceremonial Park, Rainford
• 11.30am – St Helens Cemetery and Crematorium
• 12.30pm – Anfield Cemetery and Crematorium
• 1.30pm – Landican Cemetery and Crematorium, Wirral
• 2.30pm – Southport Cemetery and Crematorium
• 3.50pm – Merseyside Mother’s Day Finale

Cllr Liz Parsons, cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said:

“Mother’s Day is a special date in the calendar for Liverpool families – but for people whose mums have passed away or for mothers who have lost children it is also a time for quiet reflection.

“This year we cannot mark Mother’s Day as we usually would, and for many that means that they will not be able to visit their mother’s resting place. To support those families we are offering the opportunity for everyone to come together with a special series of online readings to both celebrate and remember mothers who have passed.

“We offered similar readings for Father’s Day in June and we know that they were appreciated by people across the region so it is an honour to be able to do this for Mother’s Day.”

Liverpool’s reading will be by Rev Juliet Stephenson, director of the Good Funeral Company, after which a new memorial plaque dedicated to lost mothers will be blessed.

Liverpool City Council’s social media feeds are www.twitter.com/lpoolcouncil andwww.facebook.com/lpoolcouncil

The Merseyside finale film will feature excerpts from all the local authority readings.