Memorial funeral to be held in Southend for Sir David Amess
A procession is due to take place through Southend today.
The first of two funeral services for Sir David Amess is due to take place in Southend today.
A private service will be held at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell, before a procession through Southend so members of the public can pay their respects.
It comes just over a month since Sir David was killed in a terror attack in Leigh-on-Sea.
He was stabbed while meeting with constituents.
Today is expected to go like this:
- 12.15pm church bells will toll
- 1pm memorial service begins
- 2.10pm memorial service ends
- 2.15pm procession will begin from East Street
- 2.20pm approximately the horse-drawn hearse will pause at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue and pause for a minute or so to allow people to pay their respects
- 2.35pm approximately the hearse will pause at Iveagh Hall, Leigh Road and will pause again for a minute or two before returning to the chapel of rest for the evening
Cllr Ian Gilbert, Council Leader, said: “We understand residents want to pay their respects to our much-loved Sir David and although for security reasons, we are unable to invite the public into the church for the service, there are other ways for people to pay their respects.
“Residents can also pay their respects by lining the streets of Southend as the hearse passes and writing in the Book of Condolence at the Civic Centre before it closes at 7pm.”
- It comes ahead of a second funeral service tomorrow.
- A service at Westminster Cathedral will include a message from the pope, delivered by Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and The Roman Catholic Priest for Parliament, Canon Pat Browne, will also be in attendance.
Sir David’s family has kindly requested that in lieu of flowers or other tributes, donations are made to the charities Sir David passionately and wholeheartedly supported.
These include: The Dog’s Trust, The Music Man Project, Prost8, Endometriosis UK, and the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue.