Click Here to Livestream Remembrance Service

Dear Friends,                                                                                                                                November 21, 2023

It seems impossible that another year has passed and once again we are making plans for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons.  As always, we are mindful that many of you would rather skip the holidays as you are coping with the loss of a loved one.  The grief process has been described as a "journey where one encounters the many facets of grief along the way."  Many grief-professional counselors argue that "grief shared is grief diminished!"  Your grief work is so personal and individualized, we sometimes fail to realize that there are others all about us who have found themselves on a similar journey. They, like you, may feel that they are alone in their grief.  At the writing of this letter, 122 families have come to us since November 30 of 2022. Due to the overwhelming positive response to last year's Candlelight Memorial Service, we are planning to provide it again in our continual effort to provide after-care service to our families.  We feel the greatest advantage of this service is the bringing together of those of you who have suffered loss to share the common bond of walking through grief's journey.

We are so excited this year to use the Candlelight Memorial Service to introduce our grief support group which will formally begin in January.  Details of these monthly meetings will be outlined at this service and further information will be available at our website - reinssturdivantfuneralhome.net     From the onset, it has been our intention to provide this ministry to our community. We are most fortunate to have secured the leadership of Beth Dixon.  Beth and I have been friends for many years and have ministered together during the time of our own personal losses.  Our friendship has been founded in our common desire to provide support and help to grieving people.  She comes with a great deal of experience with her own personal loss as well as a foundation of the grief process and the many avenues the journey may take.  Beth will be our guest speaker providing ideas and suggestion for helping us not only to endure but to find joy in the upcoming holiday season.  I'm sure you will find your time with her not only rewarding, but also insightful and enlightening. We look forward to your joining us on Saturday evening, December 2, 2023, at 4:00 PM.

We will also be continuing our tradition of the Wreath of Remembrance.  A large-illuminated wreath of native Frasier fir will be located at the front entrance of the Funeral Home.  The wreath will include the names of all the individuals we have served this past year- (Nov. 30, 2022- Nov. 30, 2023).  Please come by to see the wreath and locate your loved one's name.  You might want to memorialize them by placing an ornament next to their name.  You are invited to visit the wreath at any time from Dec. 1- Jan. 2, 2024.  At the end of the holiday season, ornaments will be donated to the local group home.

We are well aware that the holidays are a difficult time for the families we have served the past year.  It is our sincere hope that the sharpness of your grief will indeed be lessened as we provide these outlets for you to acknowledge and share your loss this past year.  It is our prayer that the hope offered through an innocent baby in a manager that first Christmas morning- can be the sustaining hope that comforts you throughout the Christmas season and the years to come.

It has been our most sincere honor to serve you and the confidence that you have placed in us is highly esteemed.  May God's richest blessing be abundant to you and to your loved ones.

D. David VanHoy, Michelle M. VanHoy, Glen Hyatt, Daniel Viers, Donald Hodges, Randy McGrady, Ellen Davis, and Todd Hurt