More than 300 people gathered to celebrate and remember the lives of loved ones.

Mums and dads, aunts and uncles, sons, daughters and friends all braved the cold to attend the annual service of dedication at The Hospice of St Francis, which included special readings, a selection of carols, poignant live musical performances and the lighting of the Christmas lights on the special Remembrance Tree.

Sian Duddy attended with her stepdaughter Georgina, 17, daughter Erin, 11, son Harrison, eight, as well as her mum and dad, Rob and Rebecca Turner, and her mother-in-law Brenda Duddy.

They were there to celebrate and remember Sian’s much-loved husband Darren, who was just 44 when he passed away at the Hospice in February of this year. 

The 43-year-old from Redbourn said: "It was a beautiful, very moving ceremony.

"Darren was at the Hospice for a week before he died and the care he received was amazing.

"From the moment he arrived he, and we, felt safe and secure and could all relax. The Hospice managed his pain, he could eat anything he wanted and it was a completely nurturing environment.

"We knew today was going to be difficult - none of us were sure we could do it but we’re glad we did. I wanted to do it for the children’s sake and for Darren’s and it was good to be with my family and with people who are all here for the same reason."

The Berkhamsted-based hospice provides free specialist care for people living with life-shortening illnesses across Hertfordshire and is the only hospice with an inpatient unit that cares for people in the St Albans and Harpenden area.

Thirteen-year-old Matthew Tester-Wilson, from Harpenden, played a piano piece called "Living Without You," which he composed himself in memory of his dad, Dave, who died aged 43 nearly two years ago after being cared for at home following two admissions to the Hospice.

This year, the Hospice has a special online dedication page, featuring a starry night Hospice Christmas scene where you can turn a star into a personal dedication in memory of your loved ones.  Just follow this link http://lual.stfrancis.org.uk/.