In ancient Greek mythology and art, the butterfly frequently represents the spirit of a dying person, escaping the body. The Greek word “psyche,” or soul, also meant butterfly. On a beautiful Saturday morning, this historical link was the focal point of a memorial service organized by Aseracare Hospice Allentown in honor of individuals for whom they cared this past year. Called “A Butterfly to Remember,” the event offered prayer, encouragement, song and, finally, butterflies set free in the sunshine.

Attending the ceremony were family members of deceased individuals, many Aseracare staff members, a choir from the Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Performing Arts, and two bagpipers from the Hamilton Pipers. The butterfly ceremony is being performed at all 53 Aseracare Hospice agencies across the United States.

The Rev. David Duquette, spiritual care/bereavement care coordinator of Aseracare Hospice Allentown, welcomed guests to the site of the ceremony, one of the pavilions next to the Monocacy Creek in the Monocacy Nature Center. The program was brief and to the point, combining different elements that encouraged hope.

“All this is about hope,” Rev. Dave, as he is known, explained. Among the grieving survivors there were tears, but also affection and gratitude to the hospice staff.

Serving clients in five counties, Aseracare Hospice is a smaller organization that seeks to be family friendly in its service. On average, Aseracare tends to approximately 50 individuals. Its staff includes seven RNs, a number of home health aides, and a social worker. Hospice services are supported by Medicare. They are available to Medicare recipients who have received a doctor’s diagnosis that they have at most six months to live.