OLDS — The Olds and District Hospice Society’s (ODHS) annual Tree of Remembrance ceremony was a bit different this year, due to COVID –19 restrictions.
Normally, the ceremony involves lighting Christmas lights and hanging a handcrafted star on the hospice society tree near the gazebo in Centennial Park in memory of loved ones who have passed away.
Prayers and words of compassion and sympathy are spoken and songs are sung.
Usually around 100 people gather for the ceremony. However, this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, only three families attended the Centennial Park ceremony, representing all the local families that have lost loved ones this year.
The event was also live-streamed on the ODHS Facebook account so people could attend virtually and hang stars in their own homes on their own trees in memory of their loved ones.
"It was definitely different this year. We tried to connect with as many people as we possibly could,” ODHS executive director Mary Smith said.
“We would have loved to gather with our 100 people like we normally do to thank and remember those that we lost. But I think this year, in the global pandemic, it went pretty well.”
This year, in a departure from some years, more children were in attendance.
"One of our families that were supported in hospice this year has a big beautiful, loving family so I think this was a wonderful way for them – just part of the grieving process – to help them through this difficult time,” she said.
Smith is hopeful that next year, the society can hold the ceremony in the way they used to.
“Hopefully next year we can get back to supporting more individuals in person,” she said.
