HARTFORD, Ky. — Grieving the loss of a loved one is always painful but can be especially challenging during the holiday season. It is often comforting to have a safe space to share feelings or honor the memory of those lost.
Hospice families and community members who have suffered a loss are invited to join the Hospice of Ohio County team beginning at 6 p.m. Dec.7, at the Beaver Dam City Park’s north pavilion by the pond for its annual memorial event.
Guests who wish to attend can drive in and participate from the safety and warmth of their vehicle. A short tree lighting ceremony will be held, and ornaments will be delivered to cars to personalize with a memory of your loved one. Take-home refreshments will be provided.
Those who wish to participate virtually can listen to the service on WXMZ99.9 or watch a live stream on Ohio County Healthcare’s Facebook page. Viewers are welcome to comment with the name of a loved one to add to the memory tree.
“Our hope is that those who are grieving can take comfort in commemorating their loss through this memorial process. Also, we want this event to serve as a reminder that they are not alone in their grief,” says Laurie Shaffer, APRN, Director of Hospice Service for Ohio County Healthcare. “Our memory tree at the park will be lit up through the month of December and anyone can visit. A supply of ornaments will remain at the tree for visitors to personalize and hang. We hope in some way it will provide hope and comfort to grieving people.”
Shaffer says that Hospice of Ohio County has cared for 96 patients in 2021, some of them just for days, others for several months.
“Our patients and their families are so precious to us,” said Shaffer. “Hospice staff members will hang a bell on the memory tree for each person we have been blessed to serve this year.”
Hospice of Ohio County, a division of Ohio County Healthcare, was organized in 1989 and has cared for over 2,000 patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
Hospice also works to provide bereavement support to patient families and others and hosts monthly grief support meetings. These meetings, as well as “Hope for the Holidays 2021” and the memory tree, are open to the community.
To sign up or if you have questions about the memorial event, or to receive information about grief support service, call Hospice of Ohio County at 270-298-9507.