A Beloved Tradition for over 30 years

For more than 30 years, families throughout our region have gathered each December to honor loved ones, reflect on treasured memories, and find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their grief. Whether your loved one received care through Compassionate Care Plus or not, this special ceremony is open to anyone wishing to remember someone dear to them.

Quick Facts:

When: Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 2:00PM

Where: Chenault Vineyards, Paige Hill Reception Hall (2284 Barnes Mill Road Richmond, KY)

What to Expect: The afternoon will include the reading of names, hanging of memorial ornaments, special readings and music, a memorial slideshow presentation and a light reception immediately following the ceremony.

We’d like to thank this year’s sponsor, Chenault Vineyards, for their support of our mission and for providing such a beautiful space for this year’s ceremony.

This Year’s Theme Holds Special Meaning

The inspiration began with one family’s love story.

After the loss of his beloved wife, Rose, Mr. Bill Ramsay put into words what so many people struggle to express. His heartfelt poem, “The Empty Chair”, reflects the quiet moments of grief, while celebrating the enduring love that remains.

When Bill and his family shared the poem with Compassionate Care Plus earlier this summer, its message touched every member of our team. With their gracious permission, we are honored to feature Bill’s poem during this year’s ceremony and embraced the message as the theme for this year’s ceremony.

“When the Ramsay family shared Bill’s poem with us, we knew immediately that its message would resonate with so many families in our community,” said Stefanie Manes, Director of Community Engagement for Compassionate Care Plus. “We are deeply grateful to Bill’s family for allowing us to share his beautiful words and, through them, honor not only Rose’s memory, but the countless loved ones who continue to be remembered each holiday season.”

Why This Event Is Important

At Compassionate Care Plus, we believe remembering is an act of love.

For more than 30 years, the Remembrance Tree Ceremony has provided families with a place to pause, reflect, and honor the people who continue to shape our lives through the memories we hold dear. Every ornament tells a story. Every name spoken celebrates a life that mattered. Every family carries a legacy of love worth remembering.

The ceremony is also a chance to support the care and services provided by Compassionate Care Plus.

“The Remembrance Tree Ceremony has always been about remembering the people who mean the most to us,” says Melissa Riddell, Community Engagement Coordinator. “We never want cost to be a barrier to participating, which is why there is no fee to reserve a memorial ornament. While donations of any amount are always appreciated, they are never expected. Every gift helps Compassionate Care Plus continue providing compassionate hospice care, inpatient hospice care at our Compassionate Care Center, and helps us provide Grief & Loss Support services to individuals and families throughout our six-county service area.”

Our Amazing Sponsors

We would like to thank this year’s sponsors: Chenault Vineyards, The Family of Aimee L. Potter, Mercy Health – Marcum and Wallace Hospital, and Toler Funeral Home. We are grateful for their generosity in helping make this cherished tradition possible and providing a meaningful opportunity for our community to remember loved ones during the holiday season.

How To Participate In This Year’s Ceremony

Anyone who is missing a loved one during the holiday season is welcome to participate in this annual ceremony. When you reserve a memorial ornament, we will add your loved one’s name to a list of names to be read aloud by a member of our team. During the ceremony, you may place the ornament on the Remembrance Tree yourself, or if you are unable to attend, a Compassionate Care Plus team member will be honored to place it on your behalf. Please note that all ornament reservations must be recieved by 5pm on Thursday, December 3.

Guests are encouraged to take their ornament home following the ceremony as a keepsake. If you are unable to attend, ornaments may be picked up at the Compassionate Care Center during regular business hours throughout the holiday season.

Optional Photo Slideshow submission

One of the ceremony’s most cherished traditions is returning this year. Originally introduced in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic to help personalize our then virtual Remembrance Tree Ceremony, the Memorial Photo Slideshow quickly became a meaningful part of the event even after we gathered together again in person. Following a brief pause in 2025, we are pleased to once again invite families to share a favorite photograph of their loved one as part of this year’s ceremony. Participation in the slideshow is completely optional. Families who wish to participate may click here and follow the instructions to submit their loved one’s photograph.

To ensure every tribute is thoughtfully prepared and included in the ceremony, all ornament requests and photo submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3. This deadline allows our team the time needed to personalize each memorial ornament, prepare the Memorial Photo Slideshow, and ensure every loved one is honored with the care they deserve.

For the latest updates about this year’s Remembrance Tree ceremony, we invite you to follow us on Facebook

Compassionate Care Plus was founded as a non-profit organization to support the quality of life of its communities through home hospice care, in-patient care at our Compassionate Care Center, and grief & loss support programs. We serve Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties and own and operate the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Relying on contributions from individuals and groups, care is provided to all, even those who may be underinsured. For more information about our services, please call 859-986-1500 or email info@ccpky.org