Nancy Jackson
Many local hospice organizations arrange tree lighting/ornament hanging ceremonies during the holidays, times that are often difficult for those grieving the loss of a loved one. These events are ways of remembering, acknowledging and celebrating the lives of loved ones lost; they are also opportunities for family and friends to create a new tradition while remembering a loved one.
As any one knows who has experienced the death of a loved one, holidays can be difficult and distressing times for those grieving the loss. It is a time when those who are no longer alive to celebrate another year are remembered.
It can be difficult watching everyone else at joyful festivities, when you still intensely feel the loss of someone who has died. Being around others, who have also experienced a loss and understand the grief, and be beneficial for survivors.
The camaraderie of an event like a tree lighting with the sharing of grief and memories of loved ones can become a new holiday tradition.
The tree lighting and/or ornament hanging events have many different names, but the spotlight of the event is the same. The focus is on life, love, light, angels, remembering and most of all celebrating the lives of the people who have died.
- Tree of Light
- Tree of Life
- Tree of Love
- Tree of Remembrance
- Tree of Angels
- Celebration of Lights
- Celebration of Life
- Light Up a Life
The hospice tree events allow friends and family to memorialize a loved one by sponsoring a light or hanging an ornament or the hospice tree in honor of their loved one. A light or ornament may be a memorial to a family member, special friend or colleague who has died.
Some events allow a light or ornament to be donated in honor of a person who is living.
Viewing all of the lights and ornaments as the tree is lit is a visual tribute to the lives and the spirit of those who have touched our lives but are not longer living. It can also be a healing event, being around others who understand the grief experience.
While there may be subtle variations among programs, in general each light or ornament hung on the tree represent the life of a friend or family member who has died (some allow a light or ornament to be donated in honor of someone who is living).
The lights shine as a visual tribute to the memory of the honored person.
Each event has its own particular way of celebrating and traditions surrounding lighting and/or decorating tree.
Some of the common features of many of the events include:
- Music
- Poetry
- Special speakers or presentations
- Reading of the Names of those who have died, often from a scroll of names
- Lighting of the tree
- Food and refreshments served afterwards
- Caroling
These tree lighting ceremonies often also serve as fund raisers for a hospice program; a donation is made for the light or for the ornament that will be displayed with a loved one's name on it.
The proceeds from the events go to support the care of patients with terminal illness, in particular helping provide hospice care to those who might not be able to afford services.
These events offer a unique opportunity for friends and family to share their grief, their memories and their hope. These special tree lighting ceremonies give survivors a chance to find some comfort and healing during what otherwise is a painful and difficult time of the year.
This type of event encourages survivors to start a new tradition and create some new memories of an uplifting, magical, and spiritual occasion that honors the life of their loved one.
