People who work or volunteer for Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care are familiar with the sense of loss and sadness that survivors often face when a loved one passes on.
To help people who are struggling, Gulfside offers bereavement support groups.
And, it also organizes community memorial services that are open to anyone who has lost a loved one during the past year, as a way to honor the lives of those who have passed away.
This year, two community memorial services are planned, according Charlie Lowry, bereavement manager at Gulfside.
The first service is scheduled for April 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel, at 33425 State Road 54.
The second service will be May 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at 8320 Old County Road 54 in New Port Richey.
“We invite people from the community to come and be a part of that service of remembering,” Lowry said.
The idea is to “make sure that everyone knows that those who have passed on have not been forgotten,” he said. “We try to give some significance to their lives, and to the survivors, as well.”
The service will feature various readings, will have music and will have time for reflection, he said.
There will be a time during the service, when people who have lost a loved one will be asked to stand to silently honor them.
After the service, there will be refreshments, and people will be able to mingle, Lowry said. Some may choose to bring photographs of loved one, to show to others, or may want to share a story or two, he said.
The idea is to remind people that there are others who are experiencing a similar loss, he said.
“A lot of times people feel alone, left alone,” Lowry said.
The communal service, he said, “kind of helps us come to grips with it.”
The services are open to anyone who would like to attend.
Refreshments will be served and seating is limited, so RSVPs are requested by April 20.
To RSVP, contact Jan Double at (727) 845-5707 or .
To learn more about Gulfside Hospice, call (800) 561-4883, or visit GHPPC.org.
Services of Remembrance
These two services are open to all, to give people who have lost a loved one during the past year a place where they can honor the memory of that loved one.
First service
Where: Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel, at 33425 State Road 54
When: April 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Second service
Where: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at 8320 Old County Road 54 in New Port Richey
When: May 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Details: Each service will have music, readings and a time for reflection. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Please RSVP by April 20 by calling Jan Double at (727) 845-5707 or by emailing .
Published April 11, 2018
