Healing over the holidays
by Patricia M. Albrecht
The holidays can be the most difficult time of the year for individuals and families who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. Geib Funeral Home in New Philadelphia provided a place to remember, reflect, and honor lost loved ones on December 11 during a Holiday Service of Hope and Remembrance with a special candle-lighting ceremony.
This is the eighth year Director Brian Hanner, his wife, Anne, and the staff at Geib Funeral Home has honored their commitment to provide extended service for families and the community they serve by providing
help with healing over the loss of loved ones during the holidays.
Beginning in November, ornaments with the names of lost loved ones are made by Melanie Archer that are placed on a Christmas tree in the funeral home. The keepsake ornament is prepared in memory of families served since last Christmas.
This year, said Hanner, we chose snowflakes for ornaments. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, people dont all grieve the same. The ornaments are given to the families who attend the service today, with the others remaining on the tree through New Years Day for those who were out of town or unable to attend.
Families made their way to the front of the chapel with candles representing those who have passed. Peeper Cooper Miller, Geib hostess, and Robin Mackey, office manager of the Dover Geib Funeral Home, met each person and lit the candles that would be placed in memory of the deceased as musician Steve Dallas from Massillon played heartfelt music on the piano.
The Holiday Service of Hope and Remembrance began with a welcome from Director Brian Hanner, encouraging those who came to the service to greet one another, followed by an invocation from Reverand
Hugh B. Berry of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Oldtown Valley.
After the litany of remembrance, Pastor Steve Bailey of the First United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia encouraged the families attending.
I moved here 13 years ago, said Bailey, and I always tell people in Tuscarawas County that I have never seen a staff who anticipates the needs of the community like Geib Funeral Home. They do these remembrance services because they care for you. Its a privilege to be here today. Even though the death of a loved one is a struggle during the holidays, we are not without hope. Everyone grieves differently, but grief can also bring hope, healing, and closeness to God.
Pastor Bailey gave suggestions to those who have lost loved ones dear to them and are struggling during the holidays.
Some of the things I encourage you to do, said Bailey, is to talk about your loss, give yourself permission to be sad, do what you feel you need to do, find a support person, and enable others to help you, because other people really do want to help you through this time.
Each name of those who have died were called out by the staff of Geib Funeral home followed by the song
Light a Candle by Paul Alexander. Howard Thurmans poem, I Will Light Candles This Christmas was then read out loud by those attending.
Guests were ushered out of the chapel and made their way to the Christmas tree to retain their keepsake
ornament honoring their loved one.
We will also be webcasting the service today, said Hanner. By going to the Geib Funeral Home website (www.geibfuneral.com) and clicking on the link, those who could not attend todays Holiday Service of Hope and Remembrance can view it.
On December 18 at 2 pm, the Geib Funeral Center in Dover will be holding their Holiday Service of Hope
and Remembrance.
