Macon Reporter

HSHS Home Care is inviting community members to partake in a series of butterfly release ceremonies across central Illinois. These events are set to take place at several hospitals under the Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). The enlisted host locations and timings are as follows:

- HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham will hold its event on Thursday, May 15, at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden.

- HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur is set for Tuesday, May 20, at the same time in the Cancer Center Garden.

- HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, at 5:30 p.m. near the St. Francis statue.

- HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville holds theirs on Thursday, May 29, at 4 p.m. in the Healing Garden.

- Finally, HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield will organize its ceremony on Thursday, June 5, at 5:30 p.m. in the Pavilion Garden.

These ceremonies aim to help families and friends celebrate and remember loved ones who have passed away. The gatherings will feature butterfly releases and a reading of the names of those being honored. Valerie Engelbart, Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care, stated, “These butterfly release ceremonies provide a special time for families in our communities to honor their loved ones. The butterfly represents the transformation of the spirit as our loved ones transition from this life. As we release butterflies together, we celebrate the lives that have touched our hearts and find comfort in our shared experiences of love and loss.”

Participants can reserve a butterfly for $15 to personally release in memory of a loved one. Reservations and RSVPs can be made by contacting Engelbart. An online reservation system is also available, where interested individuals can select the “Hospice/Everlasting Memories/Butterfly Release” option and provide details under the “Tribute Gift” section.