On the longest night of the year, local families gathered to find warmth, hope and healing at the 25th Annual Tree Lighting Memorial, hosted by Arthur Funeral Home –Barton & Kiteley Chapel.
The memorial tree lighting ceremony takes place each year on the night of the Winter Solstice, signifying the start of a new period of growth and the promise of more daylight and better days ahead. And, it gives individuals and families the opportunity to honour and remember their loved ones during the often difficult holiday season.
The event began in 1996 with a tree planted at City Hall to memorialize those who had passed away. Each year at Christmastime, families could purchase bulbs to be placed on the tree in memory of their loved ones. In 2020 and again in 2021, the Tree Lighting Memorial ceremony was expanded to include a virtual element as well.
“For the last two years, we have decided to hold it in our parking lot,” explains Joni Cooke, general manager of Arthur Funeral Home-Barton & Kiteley Chapel. “People could come and stay in their vehicles, and listen to the ceremony on their radios”. Attendees at the Funeral Home were entertained by local musicians Matt Sibilo, Josh Norling and Clint Cudmore (funeral director at Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel) while the Sault Ste. Marie Lions Club served hot cider, along with finger foods courtesy of Reubaras Bistro & Catering. Father Paul Conway of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church officiated the ceremony, which was streamed via Funeraweb with the help of local radio broadcaster Ricky Burton. Magical moments from the evening were captured by Samuel Good Photography.
The live streaming provided an option for those who preferred to attend the Memorial Tree lighting at the traditional City Hall location. “We put a granite bench at City Hall, and it still sits beside the tree for people who choose to go there,” says Cooke. “We actually lit that tree this year, while we did our service – so people could view it, while streaming our ceremony.”
Over the years, many charities and community groups have benefited from the Arthur Funeral Home Tree Lighting Memorial. “Originally, all funds raised from the bulbs went to the Bereavement Group,” says Joni Cooke. “But once it dissolved, we started to choose charities each year. This year, we picked Pauline’s Place.” Families were able to purchase ornaments created by Eternity’s Touch and customized with their loved ones’ signature or fingerprint. Proceeds from the sale of the ornaments raised $1500 for Pauline’s Place, a local non-profit that provides access to safe, affordable housing for male youth ages 16-17, female youth ages 16-21, women, and families who are experiencing crisis and find themselves homeless.
“The nice thing about offering community events like this, is that it gives people the opportunity to get together and know that they are not alone. Death is such a difficult time, and during the Christmas season it is particularly magnified. Adding Covid on top of that brings additional stress to families. They need to know that there are other people going through it as well.”
If you are in need of grief support, call the Compassion Helpline at 1-866-649-9641. Certified grief counsellors are available to provide specialized support 24/7.
Bereavement materials are also available at Arthur Funeral Home, 492 Wellington Street East in Sault Ste. Marie.