Our Warmest Welcome

The health and safety of our local and global community is our Park Memorial priority. As a result, we are closely monitoring and adhering to all Alberta Health Services ‘AHS’ communications and guidelines in preparation for the impact of COVID-19. AHS has asked that all gatherings of 250 persons or more be cancelled or postponed. In the interest of community safety, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our Moments with Dr. Wolfelt Community Grief Support Seminars formerly scheduled for April 20 & 21, 2020. We are in the process of contacting all guests who had secured seats for these seminars, and are working closely with our partners at The Westin Edmonton to reschedule these seminars for later dates. We ask for your patience and understanding with this decision and its outcomes as we prepare to continue serving families in need throughout this time of concern. Sincerely, Kirstie Smolyk, VP

GriefShare, a confidential, faith-based support group is available for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. The 13 weekly sessions are facilitated by caring, compassionate people who will journey with you through one of life's most difficult experiences. You will receive support and encouragement from people who understand what you are going through as you recover from your loss. GriefShare starts February 25 and meets each Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Crossroads Community Church, 4719 - 44 Avenue, in Mayerthorpe. Each weekly session includes a video seminar, small group discussion, time for fellowship and snacks, and personal workbook exercises. GriefShare is offered in partnership by Park Memorial and Crossroads Community Church. The cost to attend is a one-time fee of $25, which includes all materials, plus your personal GriefShare Workbook. Pre-registration is required. To register, contact Reverend Ruth Lotholz at 780-786-2695.

one is left behind after the death of a spouse is debilitating. For our senior population, these points are even more intensively true. January will see a new grief support program begin at Park Memorial that will seek to connect, serve, and support widows and widowers through the sharing of a meal followed by a facilitated grief discussion with a grief expert. The impetus for this program was twofold: two of our funeral directors were serving widows in their time of loss, and both women expressed their grief and fear as they looked at their lives through the lens of their new normal. In the same time frame, we had conversation with a gentleman approaching the one-year anniversary of the loss of his wife. He identified that mealtimes are among the loneliest for him in his new normal. Food is love. The sharing of a meal together builds and binds families, friends, and relationships. After the loss of a spouse, mealtimes become a painful reminder of the person missing from the table. The need for grief support is societally more acknowledged and accepted for ‘younger’ populations. There can be a feeling that because senior widows and widowers are in their ‘golden years’, and that their spouse likely was as well, that there should be more acceptance of the loss and less grief. This is far from the truth. We see the need for connection, community, and grief support in the widowed families that we serve. And the need is increasing. We are hopeful that this program will meet some of these needs in our community. Date of 2nd Edition Lunch After Loss: - Monday, May 4, 2020 - Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm @ Park Memorial Reception Centre, 11015 – 101 Street For more information, visit www.parkmemorial.com/events or follow us on Facebook to keep up to date or call Kristi Hammond, Public Relations Coordinator at 780-426-0050.

Park Memorial is pleased to present this unique event focusing on grief expression through art therapy and informal conversation. This intimate event will allow guests to create a unique art project, and then take part in an informal, facilitated grief discussion. We are grateful to have The Art of Cake opening their doors and their divine bakery to our event once again. We are also grateful to have the talent of Deanne Ferguson, Box Social Events, facilitating our craft activities. These events occur monthly from September through June, with a hiatus in the summer months of July and August. The craft activity changes on a monthly basis. Upcoming Dates: - March 10, 2020. @ The Art Of Cake, Edmonton. For more information, visit www.parkmemorial.com/events or follow us on Facebook to keep up to date or call Kristi Hammond, Public Relations Coordinator at 780-426-0050.