The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Funeral home to hold annual service
All are welcome to attend Behm Family Funeral Homes’ Candlelight Service of Remembrance, which has become a tradition for many around Northeast Ohio and beyond.
According to Behm hospitality manager Danelle Miller, the candlelight service and subsequent tree-decorating, slated this year for Nov. 20, are traditions established by the funeral home’s namesake family 18 years ago.
She said it’s not only an opportunity for those who have lost loved ones and may not have had a formal memorial service to participate in one. It’s also about a sense of community and togetherness around the time of year when families across the globe routinely reunite for the holidays.
“This is something the Behm Funeral Home has been doing for 18 years,” she said. “And people really look forward to the sense of community, the chance to remember those they’ve lost and to come together.”
Organizers at Behm started the observance to honor loved ones lost during a time at which many families come together around the holidays, starting with Thanksgiving.
“A lot of times, people will tell me that they never had an opportunity to have or be a part of any type service for the people in their lives they’ve lost,” said Trevor Behm, president of Behm Family Funeral Homes, during a previous year’s event. “So this gives people the opportunity to have a memorial service to honor their loved ones every year.”
Behm said his aunts, Valerie and Jeanette Behm, recognized people’s need to come together to remember. Trevor Behm said it was through this recognition that the service materialized.
Last year’s event saw hundreds gathered at the Behm Funeral Home in Madison Village, at corner of Main and River streets, despite high winds and chilly temperatures.
“For many families, this is the only service they’ll have for their loved one,” Behm said following the service. He estimated about 250 people were in attendance, despite temperatures in the mid-30s and wind gusts up to 22 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
“I was really happy with the turnout,” Behm said. “For people to brave the weather like this to come out and honor those people they love is just really special.”
One such group came to honor 5-year-old Bradley Lawrence of Lorain, who died suddenly in March, according to his grandmother, Jennifer Lawrence of Rock Creek.
“This is our first year attending,” she said. “I think it’s really nice they do a service like this.”
Bradley’s mom, Kelsey Lawrence, said the timing of Behm’s service is especially meaningful, with the holidays right around the corner, because it was a favorite time of year for Bradley.
“Oh, he loved food and he loved presents,” she said, chuckling and wiping away some tears.
She added that, by the time everyone in her party arrived, there would be about a dozen of them. And that helps, she said.
“It means a lot to have that kind of support,” she said. “I couldn’t do it without them.”
Miller said the service is open to all, whether they’ve used Behm’s services or even had a loved one pass away recently.
“We have people come who didn’t even come through Behm Funeral Home, because it’s just a nice time of being together,” she said. “It just brings a sense of togetherness within the community, as well as paying tribute to those who have gone before us.”
As in previous years, this year’s service is planned for the Monday before Thanksgiving — Nov. 20 — beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Behm Family Funeral Homes’ Madison Village location, 26 River St.
According to the funeral home’s Facebook page, registration is from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The Candlelight Service starts at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by light refreshments.