Hall Funeral Home will host 14th annual Holiday Memorial Program

 

PROCTORVILLE — Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy, especially around the holidays, and Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville has again created an opportunity to help people cope.

Hall’s 14th annual Holiday Memorial Program will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday and encourages family members, friends and guests to participate in an uplifting service in memory of their loved ones.

“We always have the event the Saturday after Thanksgiving,” Ernie Hall, funeral director at Hall’s, said. “We always have a large crowd and it benefits us as much as much as it does other families.”

Ernie’s father died last February and the memorial program was something he says his father got the idea for once the business moved to its new current location.

“We had the first one and it was great,” Hall said. “Dad told me that as long as we can do it, we should do it. We plan on continuing it as long as we are here.”

The speaker is Dr. Gary Patton, who is a minister and is also on staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Ironton.

“It’s a sad time, but an uplifting time,” Hall said. “People cry, but often they are joyful tears. Sometimes it’s good to cry when remembering a loved one. It’s a natural reaction. Everyone has lost someone they love.”

Hall said grieving doesn’t end when a funeral is over and many of those who attend the program have been to it before.

“People come up to me afterward and give me a hug and tell me how thankful they are for the program,” Hall said. “Some will never get over a death, but through the Lord we will make it through to live another day.”

People who attend are urged to bring an unbreakable ornament to place on the “Tree of Life” when their loved one’s name is announced. The program is free and nondenominational. Questions can be directed to 740-886-6164.