Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care will host its annual Services of Remembrance and Memorial Butterfly Release on June 1 and 2 in Dunkirk and Lakewood. Submitted photo

Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care has announced that its annual Services of Remembrance and Memorial Butterfly Release will be held this year on June 1 and 2. The first service will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 1 p.m. at Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk and the second will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, at Lakewood Rod & Gun Club.

CHPC presents the remembrance services for community members to commemorate loved ones who have passed away. The services include a short program and music followed by the release of live butterflies, which can be purchased to memorialize a loved one.

“Everyone is invited to participate in the services, whether they have been served by Hospice or not,” said Shauna Anderson, Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care president & CEO. “The Service of Remembrance and Butterfly Release is available to anyone who has suffered a loss who wishes to remember their loved one in a special way or to process their grief.”

Hospice patients who have passed will be recognized in the service. Requests to include a loved one not served by hospice should be directed to CHPC bereavement director, Jamie Probst, at 338-0035, ext. 212, or via email at jamiep@chpc.care. A photo or poem can be included in the service by sending a non-returnable copy to the office or by email.

Butterflies may be purchased to release for a suggested $10 donation. To purchase a butterfly, visit www.chpc.care. Requests and butterfly reservations must be received by May 24.

In the event of rain, the remembrance service will still take place and butterflies will be given to participants to release on their own when the skies clear.

In addition to the memorial service, community members who are struggling with the loss of a loved one are also encouraged to take advantage of the bereavement support programs that are available through CHPC.

“Our grief counseling services are offered at no cost to anyone who is interested in our services. We are always here to help,” Probst said. “Grief is a very debilitating emotion and can paralyze an individual or have significant impacts on other personal relationships, responsibilities and employment.”