As 2014 drew to a close, many funeral homes hosted memorial services to honor those lost throughout the year and reconnect with grieving families to offer guidance during a time of heightened grief.

We had a chance to meet with a number of funeral homes around the country to discuss their holiday programs and were overwhelmed by the amazing responses. While each firm celebrated in different ways, we saw a number common themes:

• Holidays can be an incredibly difficult time for families who have experienced loss
• Remembrance services serve as a way to help grieving families heal
• Holiday services are well attended and appreciated by the community
• Personalized gifts serve as a cherished keepsake for families

See how these four funeral homes went above and beyond to serve their community with a special holiday remembrance program.

Haase Lockwood & Associates — Funeral Home — Elkhorn, WI

Christmas Tree Memorial | December 7, 2014 

Haase Lockwood & Associates is no stranger to hosting Holiday Remembrance Programs. The funeral home located in southeastern Wisconsin holds one every year to help the community through an often-difficult holiday season. Throughout 2014, Haase Lockwood & Associates served 360 families. At their Christmas Tree Memorial, each of these families was given a Frazer holiday ornament personalized with the name and dates of their deceased loved one. The family was then invited to hang the ornament on the Christmas tree so the community could pay respects to those lost in 2014. The ornaments were so popular with families that over 100 ordered additional ones to give to another family member or friend.

Overall, the memorial was a tremendous success. Over 300 families attended with an overwhelmingly positive response for the service and ornaments the funeral home provided. In fact, the event has become so popular that Haase Lockwood & Associates had to move the gathering to a larger off-site location.

North Little Rock Funeral Home — North Little Rock, AR

Remembrance Service | December 20, 2014 

North Little Rock Funeral Home hosted a beautiful gathering for those in its community that lost a loved one during 2014. The service was complete with a harpist setting the musical tone, videographer capturing the memorial, licensed grief counselor speaking to the group, a candle lighting ceremony, singing of Silent Night, and more. Over 200 individuals came to share their grief and pay respect, making 2014 the highest-attended year they’ve ever had.

Throughout the year, North Little Rock Funeral Home served 450 families and gifted a Frazer holiday ornament to each one. However, to this day, the funeral home is continuing to receive re-orders on the ornaments for additional family members that want a cherished memento with their loved one’s name. The service was deemed a huge success.

Rees Funeral Home Olson Chapel — Portage, IN

Remembrance Holiday Program | December 6, 2014 

2014 marked the first year Rees Funeral Home gifted each family that lost a loved one a holiday ornament during its memorial service. The gathering, held in Rees Funeral Home’s Olson Chapel, was a time for community members to come together, share their grief, pay respect to those they lost, and help each other through the difficult holiday season.

Rees Funeral Home invited its families to gather for cookies and refreshments and to stay for a service of remembrance for those lost in 2014. Each attendee was given a packet of bereavement literature, and each family was given a holiday ornament personalized with their loved one’s name and dates. The tokens of remembrance were very well-received with the funeral home’s families and sparked a lot of interest for next year’s program and ornament gift.

Wieting Family Funeral Home — Chilton and Kiel, WI

Holiday of Remembrance | December 7, 2014 

Wieting Family Funeral Home knows how hard the holidays can be for grieving families and wanted to bring a bit of joy into the lives of its community through a Holiday of Remembrance service. The funeral home invited every family it served throughout the year to a gathering remembering those lost in 2014. Each family was given the opportunity to personalize a complimentary ornament with the name and dates of their deceased loved one. Then, at the ceremony, the funeral home announced each person lost throughout the year and invited their family up to receive the personalized ornament.

Over 250 people attended the gathering to remember and celebrate the life of their loved one. Attendees appreciated the personalized feel of the ceremony and their custom ornament, which will provide a way to remember and cherish their loved one forever.

It’s never too early to start planning your Holiday Remembrance Program! Give us a call at 866-372-9372, or email info@frazerconsultants.com with any questions or comments.