Remembrance Service Sep09
Twice a year Hospice South Auckland holds a service to remember those who have died.
Family Support Service are pleased to say we are all very proud of our efforts in organising this years Remembrance Service. The day was a wonderful success, over 140 people attended and many, including staff, were profoundly affected by the whole experience.
When planning the day we came to a consensus that the day should be as colourful as possible with the focus more on celebrating the life of loved ones rather than on their death. The aim being that people could temporarily get relief from grief during the service and feel a sense of being uplifted from the rituals and service. Nurses and others were included in the plan and preparation and their ideas and suggestions were welcomed.
The Koru was adopted as our symbol of hope and renewal. Its small scroll shaped fern goes through a process of change; as its curled-over tip unfolds to become a new fern leaf. Like the Koru the grieving person also goes through a process of change and will in time adjust to a life without their loved one.
The remembrance service offers time to reflect, remember and celebrate life. For the first time a Waiata was included in the service, the people loved it and identified strongly with it and asked for more. Family Support Service would like to thank all the staff involved for their help and support.
The next remembrance service is on Sunday 6 December. We are beginning to make plans with the hope to create another opportunity for people to engage in a rich and colourful ritual to help them in their grieving process.
“Thank you for organising a beautiful and moving remembrance service - we realise that a lot of thought and detail went into it and even though we were very sad it did justice to all those who have lost their battle with cancer and it gave those left behind a message of hope” (from a participant).
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