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The Butterfly Release Ceremony is an Annual
Neonatal Memorial to celebrate and remember infants who have
died. This memorial service began in 2004 after the NICU team
decided they wanted to do something to honor these families and
the babies who so greatly touched so many people’s lives.
This event is a celebration of the short lives of
these babies; an opportunity to remember them and honor them.
Parents who have lost a child receive an invitation by mail to
attend this ceremony. It is a time where parents can connect
with each other and support one another as a group. 
At the ceremony we have a “circle of remembrance"
and parents each say their child’s name and a little something
about their child. Then when the circle is completed all of the
parents release their butterfly as a symbol of hope, love, and
remembrance.
The butterfly
is symbolic in that it represents life after death. It is a
changing of one life form into another; a transition from the
stillness of the chrysalis to the emergence of a winged
butterfly.
 There
is also an Indian Legend that butterflies carry messages and
prayers to God.
During
the ceremony children sing wonderful uplifting music; words are
spoken by a physician and a parent and finally, all parents
and staff are invited to say a few words.
During the butterfly release ceremony the staff
also dedicate a brick for the Memorial Walkway for a baby.
Parents can also choose to recognize their child by donating to
the Memorial Walkway. For more information please contact our
Children’s Memorial Walkway.
This ceremony takes place annually with the help
of staff, parents and the community-all on a volunteer basis.
The staff will personally organize the event, set up, take down
and prepare the food for the event.
If you are interested in learning more about this
event or would like to make sure you receive an invitation feel
free to contact us
anytime. To RSVP for this event please call
Lynne Alvarnas at 704-381-7732 .
If leaving a message, please include your full name, email
address and
the number attending. We will send an email confirmation
response.
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