COVID-19 Celebration of Life For Those Lost During Pandemic Set

BRADENTON, FL — A celebration of life honoring those who died during the COVID-19 pandemic June 17, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Bradenton Riverwalk Amphitheater, which is located at 606 Third Ave. W. in Bradenton.

This free outdoor event, organized by Tidewell Hospice and Tidewell Foundation, will give members of the community an opportunity to gather and mourn the loss of loved ones, friends, caregivers, coworkers, pets or other important aspects of their lives since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release from Tidewell.

For more than a year, many people experiencing loss have done so alone due to the pandemic and the restrictions in place. Many have not been able to fully grieve these losses as a result, which can take a significant toll on their mental and physical health, Tidewell said.

“This has been an extremely difficult year for many members of our community who were unable to fully process significant loss,” Jonathan Fleece, president and CEO of Tidewell Hospice and president of Empath Health, said. “Through these celebration of life events, Tidewell is providing a safe place for people to gather and hopefully begin to properly mourn the loss of those dear to them.”

The hour-long ceremony will begin with music playing as guests arrive, followed by the program. After the ceremony, an optional walk will be offered to provide an opportunity for those who would like to reflect in guided meditation.

Social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines will be followed, Tidewell said. The events will be outdoors and, in the event of rain, canceled and rescheduled for a later date.

No RSVP is required. Call 941-552-7546 for more information.