A Warwick church is offering a “sacred space” for the community to reflect on lives lost this year — and “to encourage renewed compassion and responsibility on Bermuda’s roads”.

St Mary’s Church is opening its doors on Monday night to mark All Souls’ Day and the gathering will include a young man offering a “survivor’s testimony” after almost losing his life in a road crash.

The Reverend Carl Williams said of the unnamed speaker: “He wants to share, especially to young people, that we need to turn things around.”

Mr Williams noted that Bermuda’s record of road deaths had been shockingly high in the 1970s before the island made it mandatory for motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

He added: “I don’t want to see that happen again. We have to slow it down.”

All Souls’ Day is an occasion of prayer and remembrance for the departed, traditionally observed by Christians on November 2.

St Mary’s, which has just celebrated its 400th anniversary, is to pay respects to loved ones from its parish family along with acknowledging tragedies across the island, including 15 road deaths this year.

The observance, which begins at 6pm, will be joined by Wayne Swan, the deputy chairman of the Road Safety Council, along with members of the RSC, and first responders from the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda will join the ceremony, and music is to be provided by the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums under the direction of Captain Sheldon Fox II.

Mr Williams said the ceremony was grounded in faith, adding: “Remembrance is not just mourning but it also focuses on resurrection.”

He said he had been particularly concerned over the island’s frequent crashes and road deaths, along with the rise in antisocial and careless driving.

“Recently I was driving behind an elderly couple, who were going slowly,” Mr Williams recalled.

“The person behind me could not pass them. When he was able to go past, he slowed down to cuss off the elderly people. I could not believe it. That’s what’s happening.”

He added: “Our roads are not being used sensibly at the moment and the church has a responsibility in road safety education.”

The commemoration will come with a traditional lighting of candles and the illumination of the cemetery at St Mary’s.