VIDEO: Baptist Helps Families Overcome the Loss of Loved Ones

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The holiday season is approaching, and for some families in the area it may be the first season they celebrate without a loved one.

Members of Baptist Hospice Care hold a celebration of life service to comfort families of those in who were in their care.

The holidays are a time for celebration, but the first time celebrating without a loved one can make the season a difficult one.

Members of Baptist Hospice understand the situation families find themselves in and offer their help to comfort.

“Baptist Hospice does for a time of remembrance for the families that we have served in our program but also for the community, for individuals who might be moving through a time of loss of a loved one,” said Baptist Chaplain, Clark Richardson.

This celebration of life is only one way Baptist says “thank you” to families for allowing them to play a small part in their loved one’s life.

“We have a whole team that comes in and loves on them, on these people and their families, and we just want to honor them and tell them thank you for letting us be a part of their lives,” said Patient Care Representative, Michelle McDowell.

Baptist also makes sure families have support, especially around the holidays.

“We actually have a 13-month grievance period, so we continue to call on them and send cards and love them and check on them, pray with them, make sure that, you know, they’re doing ok during this holiday season because it can be very tough without their loved ones on first occasions of Christmas and the New Year,” described McDowell.

“It gives them the opportunity to heal a little bit, to be with others who have had loss on their journey as well. It’s a celebration of life,” continued Richardson.

Following the service, a flock of white doves were released into the air.

One was released before the others to symbolize even though a loved one may be gone, we will eventually follow them.

Caregivers honor the time they have with these families.

“It means the world to us. All of us at Baptist hospice, our team, it takes everybody here to come together and to pull together as a team and love them and their loved one as they’re passing and continue that process even after they’re gone,” said McDowell.

Baptist offers grief counseling to those who experience loss.

You can find more information on their website.