Annual Memorial Christmas Tree Decorating
Annual Memorial Christmas Tree Decorating
Held every year on the second Sunday in December
“Happy Holidays” is a greeting we often hear this time of year, but if you’re mourning the loss of a loved one the holiday season may be anything but happy for you. Whether the death has just occurred or happened years ago there is no time of the year that we are more painfully aware of the empty space our loved one has left behind than during the holiday season. But how do we celebrate the holidays when our loved one is no longer here? Creating new rituals and new traditions that pay tribute to their memory is one way to survive- and perhaps even embrace- the holidays when a loved one has died.
We encourage you to cherish the memory of the people who were near and dear to you by inviting you and your family to our annual Memorial Christmas Tree Decorating, in honor of those who died and in support of those they left behind. The idea behind the Memorial Christmas Tree is to allow you a time and place to honor and remember your loved one.
We suggest you choose an ornament to be placed on the tree that best symbolizes them. The tree is located outside the funeral home so try to choose an ornament that will not be affected by the weather. Ornaments will remain on the tree until the first week in January, then will be removed and placed on a table on the front porch of the funeral home for you to retrieve and take home. Any ornaments left on the table after the first week in January will be stored at the funeral home for you to place on the tree next year. We gladly store the ornament, but we cannot guarantee its condition since they are placed on a tree exposed to the elements.
This event is for you to remember your loved one, so we do not place ornaments left at the funeral home on the tree from year to year. You may bring as many ornaments as you like, for as many loved ones as you like. If you are unable to attend at the scheduled time, please place your ornament on the tree at your convenience.
You are also invited to stay after you have placed your ornament on the tree for a time of refreshments and fellowship with other families that have lost loved ones. No one is going through the exact grief that you are experiencing, but it can be comforting to know that you are not alone. Be patient and gentile with yourself and others. Stuffing your feelings down deep inside does nothing but make them fester and get worse. Allowing yourself to express your feelings may be the greatest gift you give yourself this holiday season. If you are having a difficult time coping with the loss of a loved one there are many resources available to help and always know you can call anytime.
