Public invited to honor loved ones for Monarch Hospice memorial walk on Saturday in Lower Burrell

Monarch Hospice is sponsoring its third annual Memorial Walk and Celebration of Life on Saturday.

The public is invited to Kotecki Park in Lower Burrell to honor their lost ones.

For years, the annual memorial service was held in a church to honor seriously ill patients and other loved ones who died. But the covid-19 pandemic changed that and in 2020, the service was held outdoors as a walk.

“Everybody likes this venue and I think we get more participation,” said Maria Schafer, Monarch’s bereavement coordinator. Monarch provides hospice services to residents in their homes or health facilities. They serve 65 to 75 patients at any one time from Pittsburgh to Kittanning.

Patient families as well as staff and others who lost loved ones attend.

“It’s a way to bring people together even in a time of loss,” Schafer said. “We want to focus on the good memories and the times we did have with that person we lost.”

The 45-minute walk is not as formal as a church service, she said.

“It’s a casual thing for people to come and to bring their children.”

The event will feature the walk, a reading of the names of the deceased, a scripture reading by a chaplain, and a taco lunch courtesy of Monarch’s taco truck. Refreshments and crafts will be available for the children.

The event also serves as a way to bring people together who are mourning a loss, Schafer said.

“People can meet other families going through the same thing,” she said.

Monarch requested that the families they served to send a photo of their loved ones. During the service, mourners will have the opportunity to speak if they like, Schafer said.

Monarch staff will be on hand to talk with those who attend.