Honouring Our Ambulance Family at the 2025 National Ambulance Memorial Service

On 18th September, members of the ambulance community from across the UK came together for the National Ambulance Memorial Service. An annual event dedicated to honouring and remembering our ambulance family members who are no longer with us.

Organised and hosted by The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC), the national service is a moment of reflection and unity for everyone connected to the ambulance sector. It provides a meaningful opportunity to pause, remember, and celebrate the lives of those who served with compassion and dedication.

Led by a celebrant, the indoor service featured several moving elements, including the symbolic lighting of candles and a series of heartfelt readings and poems. Among these was a poem written by an ambulance technician, which was read aloud by the CEO of an ambulance service.

This was followed by a procession, led by a paramedic and bagpiper, and joined by standard bearers, representatives, family members, and friends. During the outdoor service, a Roll of Honour was read, commemorating those in the ambulance family who have died in the past twelve months.

Ambulance services from across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man were represented, alongside colleagues from St John’s Ambulance Service and the Independent Ambulance Association, reflecting the collective strength and solidarity of our ambulance family.

Karl Demian, CEO of TASC, said:
“Over 300 people came together for this year’s National Ambulance Memorial Service to pay their respects and honour the lives of our ambulance family members who are no longer with us. This event is such an important date in the calendar for the whole ambulance community — a time when we pause, reflect, and remember together. It is TASC’s privilege to organise and host this national service, and we are proud to bring people together in remembrance and gratitude.”

We would like to express our sincere thanks to our sponsors and partners, whose invaluable support made this event possible:

• Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE)
• The Independent Ambulance Association
• The Ambulance Hearts Charitable Trust
• Triple Point

Finally, we would also like to thank everyone who played a role in the service — from those who read, played, and supported behind the scenes, and to all who attended in person.