A young guest places her memorial ornament during the annual Remembrance Tree ceremony. Ornaments are now available for request for the Dec. 6 Remembrance Tree.

The annual Remembrance Tree ceremony is set for Sunday, December 6, 2:00 p.m., at Richmond Mall inside the former JC Penney’s.

The event is a long-standing tradition for Hospice Care Plus and the community.

The Remembrance Tree ceremony gives the community a chance to remember loved ones during the holiday season by placing a personalized memorial ornament on a tree.

After an opening prayer and holiday music, the memorial list of names is read.  Guests place their personalized ornament on the Remembrance Tree when they hear their loved one’s name.  If no one is present to place the ornament on the tree, a hospice staff member will do so.

The Remembrance Tree will remain on display throughout the holiday season at the Compassionate Care Center on Isaacs Lane in Richmond. Guests who wish to take their personalized ornament home with them may do so immediately following the ceremony or anytime during the trees’ display period.

To request an ornament, contact Hospice at hospice@hospicecp.org, 859-986-1500, or 1-800-806-5492. Donations for ornaments can also be made online at Hospice’s website: hospicecareplus.org. There is no charge for the ornaments or for the ceremony, but the organization does suggest a donation—of any size—when requesting the personalized ornament. Proceeds from the event fund all of the programs offered by Hospice Care Plus.

Hospice Care Plus is a non-profit organization serving Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley and Rockcastle counties. Services include hospice care, palliative care, bereavement outreach, and hospice inpatient care at the Compassionate Care Center.  All services are provided regardless of ability to pay.