Light a Star

By: Nathan McKinlay
Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Sunday night we held the “Light a Star” service in support of Greenwood Cemetery. For a donation to the cemetery, a star is placed on a tree, or in around the gardens outside of our Ridgetown Funeral Home. We gather, light the stars, hold a service and then enjoy some coffee, hot chocolate and fellowship. It is typically an outdoor event, but this year’s driving rain forced us to have it inside and affected our overall attendance. 

As part of our service this year, I had an opportunity to thank the board of Greenwood Cemetery for their good work. With the attendance more limited than previous years, I wanted to take the opportunity now to do so within this format.

I want to thank Jim Brown and the Greenwood Cemetery board for coordinating this service. What better way to raise funds for our cemetery than to gather together, take pause and remember our loved ones?

I also want to commend the Greenwood Cemetery board, as well as Jason Zehr, for the way they tend to the grounds where our loved ones rest, and care for our families when we attend services at your cemetery. For those who are not aware, the Greenwood Cemetery is among the most progressive cemeteries we have within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. They make every effort to make every service special.

Whether it is setting up a podium, tent , chairs and benches at the grave, or the construction of their beautiful oak urn table used for graveside services, Greenwood Cemetery always goes above and beyond. In my years as a funeral director, I have visited a multitude of cemeteries throughout Ontario and beyond. Never have I ever seen the level of dedication that I see here, in my hometown.

Greenwood Cemetery is also among the first in Chatham-Kent to introduce a scattering garden to their cemetery. If you have not had a chance to see it, you should. It is simply gorgeous and all of those involved should be proud of their efforts.

Greenwood Cemetery will be accepting donations for stars up until the new year. For those who were interested in making a donation, they are welcome to phone Jim Brown at 519-674-5205.

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