While I was on vacation our department held one of three “Services of Remembrance” that we hold throughout the year.  Families always find this service comforting.  I had phone messages from several families stating they could not attend.  So yesterday I wrote them individual letters and sent them copies of the bulletin.  Their requests for bulletins reminded me just how important keepsake items are.  I still have all the sympathy cards I received when each of my parents died.  When I think about how the messages in the cards made me feel and the connection I shared with the people who sent them, I felt supported at a time of loss and great emotion.

Our department is not required by any regulatory body to offer these services.  We do not receive any reimbursement for conducting them.  But we hold them to offer a time of healing for the surviving family members and add another recognition of honor to the lives of those who have died.  I expect that as long as families still attend we will continue to offer these services.  It is one more step in the provision of pastoral care that makes chaplaincy a valuable ministry to offer.