Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn Mount Auburn: Pathways of Connections | Page 13

Special Services of Remembrance
by Thomas Johnson, Family Services Coordinator
“…in Nature’s temple, set around with her own green and hung over with her
own blue, dedicating to the dead a place well worthy of their repose.”
— Charles Sumner, in a letter to Jonathan F. Stearns, 1831
Mount Auburn has always been a sacred resting
chapel was illuminated by the candle lighting, members
place for those loved ones we have lost, but just as important,
of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus performed an inspiring
it is a natural sanctuary for the living world where people
piece “Everything’s Possible.” The service concluded with a
can come to reflect and find peace surrounded by a beautiful
closing prayer offered by Reverend Amy McCreath, pastor
and evolving landscape. This idea of a serene space for
of Church of the Good Shepherd in Watertown. Following
remembering the dead was, indeed, the intention of the
the service there were light refreshments along with music
Cemetery’s founders. Today’s Cemetery Services Department
performed by the Chamber Players at Bigelow Chapel.
upholds this value while also providing other services to
The Service of Commemoration will be held on Saturday,
comfort those who have experienced the loss of family or
May 28, 2011, at 1:30pm at Bigelow Chapel Lawn. The
friends by hosting two annual services: the Candle Lighting
service includes music and two speakers, Reverend Jean
Service in December and the Service
Marchant and Sister Marie LaBollita, who will lead
of Commemoration on Memorial Day
us in words of reflection during the season of new
weekend.
life as the Cemetery resurrects the beauty of nature.
The Candle Lighting is a Norwegian
In the event of inclement weather the service will
tradition of lighting candles in cemeteries
be held inside historic Bigelow Chapel. These two
to remember loved ones before the
services help us to connect the living and the dead
Christmas holidays. Popularity of this
by providing a venue to remember loved ones. We
ritual grew after the death of their be-
encourage people to join us in this
Above: During the 2010 Service of Commemora-
loved King Olav V in 1991.
sacred space to reflect, connecting the
tion, The Rev. Stephen R. Silver, Minister of the
pathways from the past to the present,
First
Congregational
Church
o f
Lebanon,
Over the past 19 years since Mount
NH,
addressed
the
attendees.
Below:
Boston
bridging our memories into the future,
Auburn adopted this Norwegian tradi-
Gay Men’s Chorus members (l-r) Carl Seglem,
and holding dear the love that forever
tion, it has also grown in popularity as
Bill Barnert, Danny Fournier, Richard Babson,
remains.
a way to come together and remember Al Ingram, Chris Mahoney, Bill Jameson, Brent
our family and friends who have gone
Zeigler, Music Director
Reuben M. Reynolds III,
before us.
Ken Hirschkind, and Tim
The Candle Lighting Service was
Davis (missing from photo
held on Thursday, December 16, 2010,
is Charles Fortunato).
at Story Chapel with nearly 250 guests
in attendance. Reverend Fr. John P. Prusaitis, pastor of Saint
Bridget Church in Maynard, Mass., and Reverend John K.
Stendahl, pastor of Lutheran Church of the Newtons were
the keynote speakers. The service was complemented with
classical masterpieces by organist Glenn Goda, Tim Marci
(flute) along with The Chamber Players: Rob Bethel (cello),
Brian Claque (violin), and Jordan Volker (viola). After the
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