Around 800 butterflies were recently released into the air symbolizing change, rebirth and renewal at the Seventh Annual Butterfly Release and Memorial Service hosted by Faith Presbyterian Hospice, an Irving-based Presbyterian Communities and Services community. The service was emotionally moving and provided the public with a meaningful way to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away. The butterfly release and memorial service was open to the public and was free of charge as a way for the Dallas community to celebrate life and process grief together. 

“Honoring and remembering a loved one is one of the most important parts of the grieving process,” said Valerie Sanchez, director of bereavement and integrated therapies for Faith Presbyterian Hospice. “The butterfly release brings together strangers who all have something in common and creates a sense of camaraderie that one needs in dealing with a loss.”

The memorial service has grown in attendance from around 40 people to around 760 as Faith Presbyterian Hospice continues to reach out to more and more families, helping around 1500 families in the area each year. The service began with a ceremony under a tent on the Presbyterian Village North lawn, where Godwin Dixon, chief executive officer of Presbyterian Communities and Services, welcomed everyone.

“Until you have lost someone close to you, you cannot truly understand what it is like,” said Dixon. “Bringing people together for this event is important because everyone here understands what it is like to lose someone, and we become a support system for each person in his or her journey of grief. It is important to remember that we are not alone in missing a loved one. As Dallas’ largest not-for-profit hospice, we are committed to our community.”

Faith Presbyterian Hospice provided over 800 monarch butterflies for attendees to release at the end of the service. The way the butterflies transform from stillness to freedom has been compared to the progression of the grieving process, changing from intense grief to a celebration of life and memories.

“The butterfly release was a truly inspirational experience to witness. It left a lasting impression on the public and many families we have cared for through Faith Presbyterian Hospice,” said Dixon. “This ceremony was a very positive and uplifting way to deal with grief, and it gave us a chance to reunite with hundreds of families we have helped over the years.”

The butterfly release and memorial service was attended by around 700 families in different stages of grief in the Dallas area. This annual event offered a way for families and children to be in a safe and sacred place to express their grief in a healthy way.