Dealing with loss during the holidays: Longest Night Memorial Service set for Dec. 21

The Jarman Family Funeral Home is set to host Longest Night memorial service, welcoming all who are struggling this holiday season.

Since July 1, the Jarman family has been committed to serving the residents of Lennox through their most tender moments and are thankful for the welcome they have received. 

“Lennox has taken us in and made us feel like we are part of the community since day one. The support and trust placed in us has been incredible, and we are committed to giving the same support back to everyone who is having a difficult time this holiday season,” said owner and Funeral Director of Jarman Family Funeral Home, Rachel Jarman.

Through working with local families for the last five months, the Jarman’s have found inspiration to host a Longest Night Memorial Service. 

“There are various memorials held throughout the country on The Longest Night, and while we weren’t sure if we had the capacity to take something like this on right away, the community of Lennox has come to offer the assistance and the push we needed to take on this event together,” Jarman said.

The Longest Night Memorial Service will take place this Sunday, Dec. 21 at Prosper, offering companionship to all members of a family who have lost a loved one. 

“The Longest Night community memorial service is for anyone and everyone who has lost someone this year and this is your first holiday without them. If it has been some time and you want to remember a loved one during the holiday, or if you are supporting others who have gone through a loss, this is for you, and please note that all children are welcome and encouraged to attend as we will have special activities for them so they and their families can participate,” she said.

The Longest Night service is timed on or around the winter solstice and holiday season to acknowledge feelings of grief and sadness that are dissonant with the joyful message of the season. 

“Whether we are facing the first or twenty-first holiday without someone, we can feel their absence deeply, and this service is for all of those people and everyone in between,” Jarman said.

The Jarman Family Funeral Home is committed to standing with those that trusted them long after the service has ended. The inspiration for The Longest Night service came from conversations with families about what they are missing most about their loved ones. 

“Everyone missed their loved ones in different ways, whether it’s the smell of mom’s cinnamon rolls in the kitchen, or the funny Christmas hat dad used to wear, or that we don’t get to wrap gifts for a child who left us too soon. No matter who that person is, the holiday is not the same without them. We sometimes cope by pulling away from those who are still here, or picking up an extra shift on the holiday, or sometimes we go down darker paths to soothe our sadness. We want to offer togetherness, and this service offers another avenue, one of support, love, and hope of knowing that we are not alone,” she said.

Hosting the event at the Prosper Country Warehouse beginning at 4 p.m., Jarman has events planned throughout the evening. 

“We are encouraging everyone to come, so we needed a space to accommodate that, and the Prosper Country Warehouse has a flexible space to meet all of our needs,” she said. 

With a full evening planned, participants can come and go as needed. 

“From 4 to 5 p.m. we will have a creative opportunity for folks to make something to bring home after the service. At 5 p.m. we will have a brief remembrance service, and after we will offer light refreshments, an opportunity for reflection, and continued time for sharing with others and crafting,” Jarman said. 

A brief slideshow will be presented during the service and all are encouraged to submit a photo of the loved one being remembered in the service. 

Many in Lennox have expressed their desires for this event, and Jarman encouraging residents to attend this event. 

“Although we have only been here a short time, we can already tell you this is an amazing and unique community with so much kindness and support and we want to add to that. We are asking that people help to get the word out to anyone that may be hurting,” she said.

For anyone on the fence, Jarman encourages them to join in on the service. 

“The holidays come with a lot of expectations, we are expected to send cards, give and receive gifts, cook and eat, spread cheer, and sing carols. On this day, we simply ask that you come as you are, no expectations. No matter where you are in your grief journey, or if you are supporting someone in theirs, join us in a place where it is okay to cry, okay to laugh, okay to be silent, okay to eat or not, sing or not, and to talk about your person or not because just maybe someone else there will understand,” she said.