Emma was honoured to have sung at the funeral of Dutch veteran Paul Moerman. At age 104, he was the oldest Dutch veteran of the Second World War. He fought at the Battle of Ypenburg, eighty years ago. Emma met him at several veterans’ events, where he wore a placque with the names of his fallen companions.

The funeral, which was held at his church, had a strong military attendance including military pallbearers. Emma sang ‘Abide with Me’ as the coffin was carried out of the church. At the grave, the Taptoe Signal was played and we had a minute of silence. At the end of the ceremony, Emma sang ‘We’ll Meet Again.’

Rest in peace, Mr. Moerman.

Each year, on the second Sunday of December, candles are lit around the world to remember the children who died. Here in Leiden, Xenia Hospice organises an annual ceremony to remember the children. Relatives and friends are invited to light a candle and the names of the children are read aloud.

This year’s ceremony was broadcast from the Academy of the University of Leiden. Relatives and friends sent pre-recorded messages and photographs of the children for whom the candles were lit. It was very moving indeed to hear the personal messages and see the photographs.

Emma sang ‘Memory’ from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’ and ‘Silent Night.’ The duo Windstreken played beautiful, reflective music, and the city poet, Marianne van Velzen, read a poem she wrote especially for the event.

On Sunday, Emma will join flautist Maryse Kuiper and pianist / organist Marcel van Duyvenvoorde to sing in a church service in Scheveningen, the Netherlands. During the service, the names of those who passed away in the last year will be read aloud and candles will be lit for them.

Emma will sing her own arrangement of “Abide with Me” for voice, flute, and piano, and the ‘Pie Jesu’ from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem, as well as leading the hymns and psalms. The service is led by the Rev. Gerco Lock.

22nd November, 10:00 (Dutch Time), Betelkerk, Scheveningen, streamed here.