Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory is again helping the community honor their lost loved ones with their annual Tree of Memories. In addition to ornaments being placed on a tree in Glenn’s foyer, a list of the more than 2,000 names that have been submitted will be published on Owensboro Times on Christmas Day.
President Glenn Taylor said they will also still offer a printed list of all the names with brochures that can be picked up at the funeral home (900 Old Hartford Road).
The annual event began in 1970 after Taylor’s father died.
“We realized that holiday seasons are difficult for people when they’ve had a loss and they’re uncertain what to do,” Taylor said. “Our studying or reading said it might be good just to figure out a way to incorporate their memories into the holiday season, rather than just ignoring them or put them in the closet, because we’re afraid it’ll hurt.”
That year, the funeral home began placing ornaments on the trees in honor of those who had passed.
After starting with roughly 250 names, the funeral home now receives upwards of 3,000 names to place on the tree in some years.
“It’s a way for people to remember those no longer with us at a time that is both a holy period, a joyous period, and it can be a sad period for people as well,” Taylor said.
The deadline to submit a name for an ornament to be placed on the physical tree is today, December 18. Taylor noted the loved one does not have to have passed in 2022 to be included in the Tree of Memories, nor do they have to have been served by Glenn for the funeral services.
Taylor said Glenn has always strived to gives back to the community through the years, whether it be programs such as this or by donating to other organizations in need. He said the community has likewise always supported Glenn’s efforts.
“This community has been remarkably kind and supportive of us, it’s just a way for us to give back,” he said.
To learn more about the Tree of Memories or submit a name, click here.
