Remembering Those We Have Lost

Service of Remembrance and Hope

This is a service to honor your loved one who recently passed.

This free, non-religious service is held annually at each Bliley’s location and is open to community members to honor loved ones who have recently passed.

This ceremony can be a powerful tool in the process of healing and grief.

Each service lasts approximately 45 mins followed by a short reception to connect with others that have experienced a recent loss.

Ceremony Program:

Welcome/Invitation to Remember and Reflect
Lighting of Candles of Life
Opening Proclamation of Hope
Reading
Words of Encouragement
Proclamation of Names-Lighting of Candles
Commitment to the Future
Where Do We Go From Here
Final Benediction
Conclusion/Reception

Please join us on:

FOR CURRENT DATES OF SERVICES OF REMEMBRANCES PLEASE CONTACT ROB HAGAN AT 804-355-3800

Remembrance

Actively remembering the ones we have loved is what keeps them with us always.

While it may be painful to bring up these feelings of grief, acknowledging the death and your loved one in a positive way, truly helps work through those feelings.

Make a memory book
Light a special candle on holidays and anniversaries
Make a toast
Create a playlist of music
Plant a tree or flower
Make a photo quilt or quilt with pieces of your loved ones favorite clothing items.
Get involved in a charity that meant something to your loved one
Get involved with a prevention charity related to the person’s death.
Hold an annual pot luck. Have everyone bring a dish that reminds them of your loved one.
Make a donation to a charity that your loved one supported.
Carry something special that reminds you of your loved one with you. Take it out and hold it when you need to.
Do a favorite activity of the person who died on their birthday and/or on the anniversary of their death.
Make/eat the favorite meal of your loved one.
Create a family painting or collage about the loved one who died where each surviving family member contributes a piece. Hang the creation in the house where everyone can see it.
Create an annual charity event in your loved ones name.

Make a plan for anniversaries and holidays. This will help ease your worry and the worries of those around you.

Grief and the Holidays

Don’t be surprised at the intensity of your grief.

Feelings of anger, panic, depression, despair, guilt or regrets, fearfulness, and loneliness, as well as physical symptoms, feel stronger during this time.

This is normal. It is not a setback; it is how grief is.

Help yourself by gaining an understanding of the grieving process. Read a book on grief, attend a lecture, or attend a support group.
Remember what has helped you earlier in your grieving these techniques will help you again.
Tell important people in your life that this is a difficult season and let them know what they can do to help. Don’t expect people to remember or to know what to do.
Don’t be surprised if others struggle, too, or if you see others hesitate to speak of the person who died. They are probably afraid they will make you feel sad, and are unsure whether you want to talk about it.

Anniversaries or Birthdays

For wedding anniversaries or your loved one’s birthday:

Can you still celebrate it? Of course, if you want to.
What can you do? Cake, balloons, party, dinner, or a gift to a special person (if it is OK with the rest of the family). But be careful if young children are involved. There is “magic” in birthdays and they may fantasize that their loved one would surely come back for his or her birthday.

For the first anniversary of your loved one’s death:

Let people know that the day is coming up; don’t assume it will be remembered, or you could be bitterly disappointed.

Plan what you want to do on that day visit the cemetery, take a trip out of town, visit your place of worship, or spend a quiet evening with close friends.