Hospice Yukon would like to invite everyone to the opening ceremony for the 19th annual Lights of Life event on Thursday, December 17th.
The ceremony begins at 12:15 p.m. in the foyer of the Elijah Smith Building.
We will be joined by the Persephone Singers and light refreshments will be served.
Lights of Life provides an opportunity to honour and remember a loved one who has died, with a simple but meaningful ritual.
Christmas can be a difficult time when you are grieving the loss of a loved one, whether the loss is new this year or one that happened many years ago.
Taking a few moments to reflect and hang a remembrance tag can be a very meaningful and healing ritual during the busy holiday season.
Spend a few moments on your own, come with a friend or come as a family. Many Yukoners make Lights of Life an important part of their family holiday tradition.
There are several ways in which to honour a loved one at Lights of Life.
You may hang a remembrance tag on a Lights of Life tree, take one home to hang on your own tree, write in the Memory Book, or just sit for a few moments in quiet contemplation.
There will also be a pet tree for those wanting to remember a pet that has died.
Bringing children to take part in Lights of Life can be a wonderful way to have them remember a lost loved one, and to introduce them to healthy grieving.
Loss is part of life, and we can give children a lifelong gift by showing them positive ways of grieving and honouring loved ones who have died.
The Lights of Life trees will be available at the Elijah Smith Building after the opening ceremony on Thursday the 17th until 5 p.m., on Friday the 18th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday to Wednesday, December 21st to 23rd from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hospice volunteers will be there to lend support and to provide information about Hospice Yukon.
In Whitehorse, trees will also be available at Hospice House, located at 409 Jarvis Street, Macaulay Lodge, Whitehorse General Hospital, Copper Ridge Place, Heritage North Funeral Home, the Young Offenders’ Facility and the Angel’s Nest (Youth of Today Society).
The communities of Faro, Old Crow, Mayo and Haines Junction will also be hosting their own Lights of Life celebrations this year. Please contact Hospice Yukon at 667-7429 for more information.
Lights of Life is made possible by the generous contributions of scores of individuals and local businesses, many of whom support this meaningful program every year.
Thank you all once again.
Cathy Routledge, executive director, Hospice Yukon Society
On behalf of our board of directors, volunteers and staff
Whitehorse