Los Angeles Jewish Home's Blog
Friday, February 27, 2015
Making the Journey from Memory to Blessing
On Sunday, February
22, 2015, the Jewish Home’s Skirball Hospice held its annual memorial for the
families of patients who had received services during the past year. Nearly one-hundred
people were in attendance at the lovely setting of the Skirball Cultural
Center.
The spiritual
care staff presented a program of music, readings, and a moving ritual of
building a matzevah, or altar of stones,
to represent the individuals being remembered. As each name was read, a stone
was placed in their memory. Participants were then invited to share a few words
about their loved one. Some were recalled with happy memories, others with
tears…and all of them with love. Many
people expressed their appreciation for the care they had received from
Skirball Hospice, both during their loved one’s final illness and while
receiving bereavement support.
The memorial
was also an opportunity for families to reconnect with hospice staff who had
been such an important part of their lives, as well as to meet staff who work
behind the scenes to administer the program. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed
kosher refreshments and the chance to talk and share their stories with others.
For many, the
event was an occasion to mark another step in their grief journey - to realize they
are finding ways to make peace with their loved ones’ passing.
Skirball
Hospice offers bereavement support to family members for thirteen months after
a death in the form of letters, calls, and counseling visits as needed. This
annual memorial program is part of that support which provides a bridge from
memory to blessing.
For more
information about the services of the Jewish Home’s Skirball Hospice, please
call 818-774-3040 or visit our website at http://skirballhospice.org/