The first holidays after the death of a loved one can be a looming and stressful time for loved ones. To help the family and friends of those who passed away in Ecumen Hospice this year cope with the upcoming holidays, Ecumen Hospice staff hosted a remembrance service on Sunday, Nov. 6at Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood.

Over 20 people attended the service, titled, “A Time of Remembrance: Facing the Holidays with an Empty Chair,” which was let by Chris Quistad, Ecumen Director of Spiritual Care.  Family and friends took time to reflect, remember and give thanks for the lives of their lost loved ones through prayer, song, conversation and a candle-lighting ceremony.

One particularly special part of the evening was when the attendees were given a slip of paper and asked to write what they would like to thank their loved one for. They then placed the paper in a small ornament box, which could be taken home and displayed throughout the holidays to remember their loved ones.

The verse below, a popular piece of scripture used in coping with grieving, was featured in the bulletin handed out at the service.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to weep and a time to laugh”
Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

About Ecumen Hospice

Ecumen Hospice, one of Minnesota’s first hospice programs, has a strong heritage of helping individuals with life-limiting illnesses live each day to the fullest. Our dedicated hospice team provides high quality personalized services including skilled nursing care, spiritual care, bereavement counseling, music and massage therapy, social work, physician services and volunteer companionship care in the Minneapolis/St. Paul and Litchfield areas. Ecumen, founded more than 150 years ago, is a trusted name in senior housing, home care and skilled care.  For more information on Ecumen Hospice go to our website www.ecumenhospice.org or call 651-714-0200 in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area or 320-693-7367 in Litchfield. For more information on Ecumen, go to www.ecumen.org.