For almost 30 years the hospice has hosted its annual Honour a Life ceremony at the beginning of December, a month where those who are grieving may tend to experience that pain a little more strongly.
In past years, the non-denominational event usually attracted hundreds of participants who would meet up in West Vancouver and, following a brief reception, would take a candlelit walk to the sea front and place memorial cards on a large tree in honour of a loved one who has passed away.
Due to COVID-19, the popular event has had to be cancelled this year, according to organizers. But the ceremonial tree, perhaps the most important part of the event itself, will remain.
“To keep the tradition going and provide support to people who are dealing with loss during the festive season, the Honour a Life tree has been lit and will be on display for the rest of the month,” said Yolanda Brooks, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation spokeswoman. (The North Shore Hospice & Palliative Project is a partnership of the North Shore Hospice Society and Lions Gate Hospital Foundation.)
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the tree at a time of their choosing and write a message on a card in memory of a loved one and hang it on the tree, said Brooks, who noted that the cards will be provided on-site but participants should remember to bring their own pen for the occasion.
The Honour a Life tree is located at Seawall Park in West Vancouver adjacent to the sea wall at the foot of 19th Street.
The event was first hosted in 1992 after a small group of local health-care workers and volunteers got together to offer an outlet for bereaved members of the community who wanted something outside of a traditional funeral service to honour their loved ones.
While Honour a Life has typically been offered to family members and people who have lost someone in palliative care during the preceding 12 months, anyone experiencing grief or loss of a loved one from any time is welcome to participate.
