News Room

Fall Memorial Service

By Jonathan Stinson - The Reporter
Published Sept. 24, 2009

Hospice of Marshall County at Shepherd’s Cove held a fall memorial service for the families who lost loved ones during the first six months of 2009 on Sep. 20.

“It’s good for the family and the staff because it’s one piece of closure for everybody,” Susan Sanders, public relations manager for Hospice of Marshall County, said.

Usually these services have 75 to 150 people, made up of family members and Hospice staff.

The service consists of music, usually a song about remembering according to Sanders, and then they light a candle and have a roll call of those who passed away.

When a family member’s name is called that family stands up along with the Hospice staff who served them.

“There is always someone standing up in remembrance of that person even if they don’t have a family member there,” Sanders said. “We just think that is very important because they were important to us and they were important to their family even if they couldn’t attend the memorial service.”

Sanders said after the memorial service those in attendance meet in the fellowship hall and talk to one another and share stories and food. 

“It gives the staff an opportunity to talk to family members and see how they are doing,” she said, “and it’s good for the family and for the staff.

“You never forget your loved one who is gone and we don’t forget the people that we serve because so many times our staff members become very close with families,” Sanders said. 

The memorial service is just one part of the bereavement care Hospice provides for family members. After a family loses a loved one, Hospice of Marshall County still continues to check in on them. 

“It’s just a good time for closure. … There’s a lot of laughter. There’s a lot of tears, and we just want the people in the community to know that we have not forgotten,” Sanders said.