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Emmanuel Hospice to Host Interfaith Memorial Event

The annual community interfaith memorial on Wednesday, Sept.11 will offer a touching evening as families of all faiths served by many different hospice providers gather to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died.

The fifth annual event will feature music, reflection, prayer and activities for all ages from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dominican Center at Marywood, located at 2025 Fulton St. E.

“Life, death and hope transcend all traditions. Through the combined efforts of area hospice agencies, the annual community interfaith memorial offers a space that honors the shared experience of loss,” said Kyle Kooyers, associate director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. “In whatever season of life, or whatever place on the journey families may be inhabiting, we invite all to come and join us as we remember together.”

During an hour-long service, representatives from the secular, Buddhist, Hindu, Baha’i, Christian, Islamic and Jewish traditions will lead prayers, songs, reflections and readings. 

Following the service, various activities are planned from 7 to 8 p.m. for guests to take part in at their leisure, such as memorial fires, planting flowers, making and flying kites and walking a meditation trail. Guests are also encouraged to bring photos or a memorial item to be displayed at the remembrance table for the evening.

The celebration is collaboratively coordinated by Emmanuel Hospice, Faith Hospice, Grace Hospice, Heartland Hospice, Hospice of Michigan, Kindred Hospice and Spectrum Health Hospice with support from the Center for Inquiry, the Dominican Center at Marywood, Instruments of Hope, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, The West Michigan Baha’i Community, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids and the Islamic Center of West Michigan.