Ceremony to remember loved ones during holiday season

Sidney Regional Medical Center Hospice's annual Tree of Remembrance ceremony will allow the community to remember loved ones this holiday season.

The tree lighting tradition was typically held in the lobby of the hospital for many years. However, with the transition to the hospital's new locations, the hospice has taken the opportunity to incorporate the community and not just those that have used the hospice services.

This year's Tree of Remembrance ceremony will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Legion Park.

According to hospice coordinator Dorrie Brown, the event has changed its focus to supporting the community.

"The purpose behind the Tree of Remembrance was intended to be a visual tribute to hospice patients at a time that was difficult to handle the loss," she said. "This year our approach is to encourage everyone who is struggling with the loss of a loved one from the community to join us. The holidays can be especially tough for people who have lost someone. Whether the loss was this year or many years ago, the holidays seem to bring a variety of emotions with them."

Brown added that the remembrance ceremony is used as a time to come together as a community and provide support and hope for one another.

The hospice is partnering with the City of Sidney parks department to light a tree in Legion Park located by the Shelter House. The tree will be decorated with 3,000 lights and will stay lit through the first of the new year.

Cheyenne County district court judge Derek Weimer will speak at the event and singers from Creek Valley High School will perform. Names of loved ones being honored and memorialized will also be read during the event.

To include names of loved ones in the ceremony contact SRMC Hospice at 308-254-3273.