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Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care
Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPC) has announced that their annual Service of Remembrance and Memorial Butterfly Release will be held in TWO locations this year – one each in the North and South Counties. The first service will be held on Saturday, June 24 at 1pm at Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk and the second will be held at 1pm on Sunday, June 25 at Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron.
The decision to host two events this year was made in order to reach more individuals in the communities that they serve. Anyone who is struggling with grief or has lost a loved one is invited to participate.
CHPC has presented the remembrance services for the past several years as a way for the community to honor and commemorate those who have passed away. The short program will include music and poetry and will be followed by the release of live butterflies, which can be purchased to memorialize a loved one.
“Everyone is invited to participate in the services, whether they have been served by Hospice or not.” says Shauna Anderson, Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care President & CEO. “The Service of Remembrance and Butterfly Release is available to anyone who has suffered a loss who wishes to remember their loved one in a special way or to process their grief.”
While all Hospice patients who have passed will be recognized in the service, requests to specifically include a non-hospice patient or exclude a loved one from the event program should be directed to Hospice Bereavement Counselor Jamie Probst at 716-338- 0035, ext. 212, or via email at jprobst@hospicechautco.org. A photo or poem can be included in the service by sending a non-returnable copy to the office or by email.
Butterflies may be purchased to release for a suggested $10 donation. To purchase a butterfly, visit www.hospicechautco.org. Requests and butterfly reservations must be received by June 19.
In the event of rain, the Remembrance Service will still take place and butterflies will be given to participants to release on their own when the skies clear.
In addition to the Memorial Service, community members who are struggling with the loss of a loved one are also encouraged to take advantage of the bereavement support programs that are available through CHPC.
“Grief is a very debilitating emotion and can paralyze an individual or have significant impacts on other personal relationships, responsibilities and employment,” Probst says. “Our grief counseling services are offered at no cost to anyone who is interested in our services. We are always here to help.”
The mission of Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care is to provide end of life education and care in Chautauqua County. CHPC provides hospice care for patients and families facing life-limiting terminal illness, palliative care for those with serious chronic illness, and bereavement support to individuals, families and organizations who have suffered the loss of a loved one. For more information, visit www.chpc.care or call (716) 338-0033.
