On the evening of Tuesday, June 6, guests trickled into the Center for Hospice Care’s (CHC) Garden of Remembrance and Renewal like the water that trickled through the small stream in the garden.
The remembrance garden is part of the 11-acre property that houses the Center for Hospice Care’s facility in Elkhart, Indiana. It provides a peaceful spot to reflect and process the emotions that often go hand-in-hand with end-of-life care.
Each year, CHC hosts a dedication service for families and friends on the first Tuesday of every June. The 11th annual memorial dedication served as a venue for loved ones to visit the bricks, benches, and garden decorations that have been placed to remember those who have passed away under the care of CHC.
Family members of loved ones are given the opportunity to purchase a memorial brick to be placed in the garden. The purchase helps CHC keep its promise to care for every individual that falls under its care, no matter their financial status.
Purchasing a brick is just one way that a loved one can live on through CHC’s mission to provide everyone comfort in their final moments. The annual ceremony serves as a way to officially dedicate the bricks in honor of those who have passed away.
“The idea behind the brick is that we are able to keep our promise that we turn no one away for lack of ability to pay. This is one of those important steps that we take to make sure that we continue that promise well into the future. It's also an opportunity for our loved ones to have something that memorializes a well-lived life in a place that's permanent,” CHC interim CEO Phil Newbold said.
The garden provides family members the opportunity to process and visit whenever they feel they need to, and it offers a place for future generations to honor the lives of those they may never have had the chance to know.
“My grandpa was recently added to the walkway. It's nice because I know that there's always a place where I can come and see something related to him, either by myself or with my family. When I have kids, it'll be nice to have a place that they can come visit too,” attendee Brianna Taylor said.
CHC volunteers also attended the event and offered support to other attendees who may have needed an extra shoulder to cry on.
Volunteer Joyce Metzler-Smith has spent time with grieving families for many years. After the passing of her husband, she realized just how valuable words of encouragement were during the grieving process.
“I lost my husband in 2003, so I know the pain of losing your significant other. Since then, I have volunteered in grief calling. I encourage everyone to get involved and volunteer. People need us,” Metzler-Smith said.
Whether attendees were volunteers or families of loved ones, CHC was grateful for the support of its mission and values.
“We're just thankful for the many ways that people support us whether it's by sponsoring a brick, through other donations, or volunteering,” Chief Development Officer Chris Taelman said. “We even had a volunteer here with one of our guests tonight. It's terrific that we're able to gather the community together on a regular basis and celebrate their support of our organization and the lives of people that we've cared for.”
To learn more about the Center for Hospice Care, visit https://cfhcare.org/.
