BRATTLEBORO — Atamaniuk Funeral Home is sponsoring its 17th annual Holiday Support Program and a Service of Remembrance on Tuesday, Dec. 10, for bereaved families and friends.
The event is again held at the VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 Home, 40 Black Mountain Rd., at 7 p.m.
Facing the holidays, with their expectation of togetherness and tradition, can be wrenching for families suffering the loss of a loved one. Atamaniuk believes this seminar, which honors celebrations and special family traditions, is of deep value to the community, and offers it free of charge to all.
Speakers will provide practical, encouraging approaches to coping with the holiday season and make available helpful booklets and brochures.
Also planned: a candle lighting ceremony in honor of all families experiencing a loss. Each deceased family member will be remembered that evening.
Refreshments follow.
Atamaniuk Funeral Home encourages those who plan on attending the event to invite two other people whom they know who have experienced a loss. The program is open to everyone, not just families served by Atamaniuk.
Featured speaker is Anne Black, a local grief therapist and the founder and executive director of The Warrior Connection (www.warriorconnection.org). Her business provides therapy for combat veterans, concentrating on resolving loss, healing moral injury, and mitigating and reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Black has authored several books and conducted workshops in bereavement and aftercare.
Special music for this year's program again features local musician and composer Bill Shontz (www.billshontz.com), who has for more than 30 years entertained millions of children and their parents throughout the country with his imaginative and witty style of music and humor.
Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. R.S.V.P. by Monday, Dec. 9.