Hospice Organizations to Hold 7th Annual We Remember Interfaith Memorial Service

Hospice Organizations to Hold 7th Annual We Remember Interfaith Memorial Service

Annual service to be held virtually, coordinated by local hospice organizations

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Aug. 16, 2021) –Processing grief and honoring loss are all part of the journey towards healing. Individuals from all belief systems are invited to take part in We Remember, the seventh annual community interfaith memorial, which will be held virtually from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Attendees will have the opportunity to process the many forms of loss together through guided introspective reflection, meditation and prayer. The theme of this years’ memorial service is breath and light.

We Remember brings individuals and families of all faiths together for reflection and remembrance in a welcoming and inclusive space. The annual event will offer a live memorial service via Zoom with portions of the meditation recorded for later viewing. This experience will provide a virtual space to connect with other folks processing grief under the facilitation of bereavement counselors.

“It’s incredibly healing for people to be in a space that allows them to openly grieve together and connect by honoring their shared experience of loss,” said Kyle Kooyers, associate director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our local hospice organizations that have continued to support this event, we’re coming together to share in our human experiences that transcend belief systems. All are welcome to attend and join us in a communal processing of loss.”

During the memorial service, representatives from the secular community, Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous, Islam and Jewish faiths will lead prayers, songs, reflections and readings. Attendees are encouraged to bring a candle to light in honor of their loved one.

This service is a time for people from all beliefs to talk about their losses and grief experiences in a safe and welcoming space. Those who have experienced losses of any kind are most welcome to attend.

To register, please visit www.gvsu.edu/interfaith/. Upon registration, attendees will receive a link to access the live memorial service via Zoom and the recording.

We Remember is collaboratively coordinated and supported by Center for Inquiry Michigan, Dominican Center at Marywood, Emmanuel Hospice, Faith Hospice, Islamic Center of West Michigan, Grace Hospice, Heartland Hospice, Hospice of Michigan, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Kindred Hospice, Spectrum Health Hospice and The Grand Rapids Bahá’í Community.

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