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Event Under $1,000
Honorable Mention
Anniston Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home
Anniston, Alabama
For the past two years, on the first Tuesday in December, Anniston Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home has used 2,000 luminary candles to line its cemetery grounds and has held an evening Christmas memorial service at the funeral home. Guests are invited to bring an engraved ornament in memory of a loved one to be placed on an undecorated tree in the chapel. During the service, each name is read aloud and the ornament placed on the tree by a family member.
This is done as a memorial to those who are buried in the cemetery and whose services were provided through the funeral home. All of the families Anniston Memorial has served in the past year are invited to attend in the hope of easing the first Christmas without their loved one.
The KIP judges had the following to say about this entry:
- Wonderful, creative idea for people who have lost loved ones in the past year and for when Christmas time could be especially difficult. The role of the lights - both the luminaries and the lights on the tree - is very meaningful. Builds stronger relationships with customers.
- Very moving and similar to events done at national parks and battlefields, yet the cemetery's tie-in makes it a joyful experience as well as memorable.
- This sounds beautiful and well thought-out. A memorial such as this for the first Christmas after the death would help make that time of year a little easier. Personalized invitations are also a very good idea.
- A special event that helps families during the difficult Christmas season. Great idea. Also nice to have the program as a keepsake.
- Like this. Seemed like a good response.
- Original - good idea.
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