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Hospice Society’s ‘Lights of Life’ takes new form

Support is there for bereaved community during the holiday season
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John McDougall-Goulet, a Hospice board member, hangs a Lights of Life ornament on the Hospice tree.

For over 30 years, community members have likely noticed the beautiful blue and white decorated tables set up in the Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons and the Trail Bay Mall in Sechelt in December, where volunteers with the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society welcomed them to write a card in honour of a loved one who has passed away and add it to a small holiday tree. 

The cards were then burned in a moving New Year’s Day ceremony each year at Mission Point Park, called “Lighting of the Memories.” These events have brought comfort and solace to hundreds of community members mourning the loss of a loved one over the holiday season. 

But in COVID times, the Hospice Society is not able to be present in the malls. Instead, this activity, called “Lights of Life,” is being delivered into the homes of community members. 

“We had to put on our thinking caps, and come up with new ways of connecting with clients and all members of the community who would like support while grieving the loss of a loved one at this time of year,” said Elana Robinson, executive director of the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society. 

The Hospice Society is mailing out packages this month with materials to participate in this compassionate activity to all of its clients. And it’s setting up a call-in support line for anyone who would like a “listening ear” to talk about the loss of a loved one. 

Every weekday between Dec. 15 and 31, except for Dec. 25, trained Hospice volunteers will be available between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to receive phone calls from people seeking support to deal with the loss of a loved one. If you or someone you know would like to call into the support line, the number is 604-399-8231. 

“One of the main activities of Hospice is to provide support not just to people who are dying, but also to their loved ones who are caring for them, and grieving their loss after death,” Robinson said. 

Hospice is also providing a virtual Winter Tea ceremony on Friday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. which is open to all members of the public who are grieving during this holiday season. 

On New Year’s Day, the Hospice Society will be again conducting the Lighting of the Memories ceremony. But instead of inviting everyone to attend in person, they will be sharing the ceremony online so that anyone who wishes can tune in online through their Facebook page. 

In lieu of being able to bring people together to break bread over the holiday season, Hospice is bringing bread to them. Thanks to the generosity of the Gumboot Café, Gibsons Home Hardware, Wheatberries Bakery and Davis Bay Tea Co., Hospice volunteers will be delivering packages of fresh soup and bread, tea and cookies to each of its clients on Dec. 15. 

“We are coming together to ensure that we continue to be present for our clients and everyone seeking support in dying and bereavement during a difficult time of year,” Robinson said. 

For more information or to participate in any of these activities, please contact Hospice at 604-740-0475 or info@coasthospice.com, or visit www.coasthospice.com.

Katie Clogg is philanthropy and communications manager, Sunshine Coast Hospice Society

– Katie Clogg, Contributing Writer