Funeral Home Holds Christmas Candlelight Memorial Service For Families To Honor, Remember Loved Ones

More than 60 people gathered at the First Baptist Church in Jenks to remember and honor their loved ones this holiday season at the Christmas Candlelight Memorial Service.

It's hosted by Maker Funeral Homes, and they opened it to everyone, including those who did not use their services.

This is the sixth year Marker Funeral Homes has held the Christmas Candlelight Memorial Service.

It's the first year Shannyn Burdess and her family attended.

They came to honor her father, a year after his passing.

The Christmas Candlelight Memorial Service is a way for families to keep their loved ones' memories alive during the holidays.

"He and my mom together made Christmas so special for us kids and for family and so it gives us a chance for us to remember the ways that they taught us to celebrate the holidays and take that with us," Shannyn said.

Shannyn is missing her late father, Finnis, this Christmas, and attending the service brought her comfort as she continues to heal from losing her dad.

"One of the things that they mentioned in the service was that everybody has their own journey to grieve and so it allows them to realize they don't have to grieve the same way I do and it's OK to take those steps and be able to move on in life in a way that's right for them," Shannyn said.

Shannyn's daughter, Zoe, also attended the service to remember her grandfather, and she says it brought her closer to him.

"Being able to sit there and take a moment to enjoy the moments that we did have and hold them in our hearts, this service does make you feel closer to your loved ones," Zoe Burdess said.

That is one of the goals that Marker Funeral Homes president Mike Marker has for attendees,

"So many people are uncomfortable talking about the subject of grief and really they want to do something but they often don't know what to do and so honestly just being there for people, letting them tell the story, talk about their loved one, let them know their loved one is not forgotten," Marker said.

As Shannyn remembers her father this Christmas, there is one holiday memory that she will never forget

"My dad was quite a character, he would find funny things in the stores and would be like, you know what would mom think if I bought this and that's most of the memories that I share with him was shopping at the last minute trying to find something for mom," Shannyn said.

Every family was given a special ornament with their loved one's name, birthday, and the date they passed away.

This was the first year the service was held at the First Baptist Church in Jenks because the service has grown so much.