A butterfly release ceremony was held Saturday at the pavilion at Dinkey Memorial Lutheran Church in Ashfield. The event was hosted by St. Luke’s Hospice program.

Members of St. Luke’s Chaplain Department read the names of the loved ones being honored at the program, with readings, poems, and music by Annie.

“The butterfly has been a spiritual symbol of change and rebirth,” Chaplain Tim Haznet said. “Movement forward to new life, a new existence. Today, we remember our loved ones who have left this earthly life and have moved on.”

The butterfly symbolizes our moving forward from this life to the next.

“Like us, the butterfly goes through many changes,” Haznet said. “First the egg, birth; the caterpillar, growing up; death in the chrysalis; and finally, the emergence of the butterfly from the chrysalis, transformation, revealing the butterfly’s ultimate beauty. This is why we use butterflies to commemorate our loved ones today.”

Chaplains from St. Luke’s that took part include David Fehr, Stephanie Cramer, Tim Haznet, Nick Sorrentino, and Glen Lambert.

“We had about 100 people,” Stephanie Cramer said. “I just started with this program this year; but, I understand they have done this for several years.”

Following the reading of the names, David Fehr led the people in releasing butterflies. Each family was given packets containing one, sometimes two butterflies. Opening the packets, the butterflies took a moment to “wake up” and then flew away.

“I love this,” Cramer said. “It’s very meaningful.”

St. Luke’s Hospice provides all necessary medical care and equipment needed for those who require hospice care, including helping families when a loved one passes away.