Brookside Funeral Home Holds Special Service to Remember Loved Ones Families Lost

By Gerri Miller

Staff Writer

Those who have lost family members and other loved ones in the past year gathered at Brookside Funeral Home recently for a special service and decoration of the Tree of Remembrance.

For the past 20 years, Brookside has held a special service for those families they have served for the past year. Family members and friends are encouraged to bring a personalized or special Christmas ornament to hang on the Tree of Remembrance.

“Every year we pull all the ornaments out and it is a reminder of all of the families we have helped,” said Brookside General Manager Christine Bushby. She said the ornament collection has grown to more than 500 pieces over the past 20 years.

Fresh Rain Church Pastor Kevin McDaniel led a short service and then families were given the opportunity to place their ornaments on the Tree of Remembrance. Brookside has served the families of more than 300 individuals who have passed away from last year’s service until Friday, said Brookside Owner Chris Thompson. “We have some families who plan their holiday time around this memorial service,” Thompson said. “This is kind of our way of giving back a little and helping those remember the loved ones they lost.”