Q. During the holiday season, what are some ways our family can honor a loved one who is no longer with us?
A. The holidays can be a difficult time for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Even if years have passed since their death, it's still healthy and normal to feel a sense of loss or a stronger need to reminisce during the holiday season. In some cases, you and your family may simply be looking for a positive way to celebrate your loved one's life.
Some simple ways for families to honor their loved ones this holiday season may include:
• lighting a candle in their memory
• creating a holiday photo album from years gone by
• hanging a stocking for them
• decorating their grave
• talking with others about previous holidays spent together
• supporting a charity in their honor
• singing their favorite Christmas song
There is no wrong way to honor your loved one, and it can be done in ways big or small. Most importantly, the experience should be meaningful to you.
Monroe Clinic Hospice's Celebration of Lights is also a way to honor a special person who has died but will never be forgotten. This annual service is also an excellent way to celebrate those in our lives whom we appreciate and wish to acknowledge during the holidays. Individuals, families, patients, employees, and groups can be acknowledged.
The Celebration of Lights service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 4, at the United Methodist Church of Monroe at 2227 4th St., Monroe. For a minimum donation to Hospice of $7, an ornament will be created for each loved one, and each name will be recognized at the Celebration of Lights service. Attendees may pick up their ornaments at the church before or after the service. Proceeds will help fund Monroe Clinic Hospice's programs.
For those who could use additional support during the grieving process, Hospice can be a wonderful resource during the holidays and throughout the entire year. While many people think of Hospice as a service for those who are reaching life's end, Hospice care is also concerned with surviving family and loved ones.
While Monroe Clinic Hospice's Handling the Holidays program already took place in early November, we continue to offer HEAL, an ongoing monthly community grief support group, throughout the year at the Saint Camillus Center, 2101 6th St., in Monroe. This program is free and open to anyone who is grieving. For more information about HEAL or any of Hospice's other bereavement services, call 324-1230.
- Carla Stadel, RN, BSN, CHPN, is the director of Monroe Clinic Hospice and Home Care. To learn more about Hospice's services and enrollment, call (608) 324-1230 or toll-free at (800) 367-8406.
A. The holidays can be a difficult time for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Even if years have passed since their death, it's still healthy and normal to feel a sense of loss or a stronger need to reminisce during the holiday season. In some cases, you and your family may simply be looking for a positive way to celebrate your loved one's life.
Some simple ways for families to honor their loved ones this holiday season may include:
• lighting a candle in their memory
• creating a holiday photo album from years gone by
• hanging a stocking for them
• decorating their grave
• talking with others about previous holidays spent together
• supporting a charity in their honor
• singing their favorite Christmas song
There is no wrong way to honor your loved one, and it can be done in ways big or small. Most importantly, the experience should be meaningful to you.
Monroe Clinic Hospice's Celebration of Lights is also a way to honor a special person who has died but will never be forgotten. This annual service is also an excellent way to celebrate those in our lives whom we appreciate and wish to acknowledge during the holidays. Individuals, families, patients, employees, and groups can be acknowledged.
The Celebration of Lights service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 4, at the United Methodist Church of Monroe at 2227 4th St., Monroe. For a minimum donation to Hospice of $7, an ornament will be created for each loved one, and each name will be recognized at the Celebration of Lights service. Attendees may pick up their ornaments at the church before or after the service. Proceeds will help fund Monroe Clinic Hospice's programs.
For those who could use additional support during the grieving process, Hospice can be a wonderful resource during the holidays and throughout the entire year. While many people think of Hospice as a service for those who are reaching life's end, Hospice care is also concerned with surviving family and loved ones.
While Monroe Clinic Hospice's Handling the Holidays program already took place in early November, we continue to offer HEAL, an ongoing monthly community grief support group, throughout the year at the Saint Camillus Center, 2101 6th St., in Monroe. This program is free and open to anyone who is grieving. For more information about HEAL or any of Hospice's other bereavement services, call 324-1230.
- Carla Stadel, RN, BSN, CHPN, is the director of Monroe Clinic Hospice and Home Care. To learn more about Hospice's services and enrollment, call (608) 324-1230 or toll-free at (800) 367-8406.
