Butterfly release honors loved ones

“As you release this butterfly in honor of me, know that I am with you and will always be. Hold a hand, say a prayer, close your eyes and see me there. Although you may feel a bit torn apart, please know that I’ll be forever in your heart. Now fly away butterfly, as high as you can go. I’m right there with you more than you know.”

When Guardian Angels  Elim Home Care and Hospice first opened in 2005, they immediately offered a creative memorial service which would serve as a way for families to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away. Every year, a butterfly release takes place in both Buffalo and Elk River.

The Butterflies

The butterflies were inspired by the dream of one of the original social workers at Guardian Angels, and now 15 years later, it is still a highly anticipated event. Hospice Director Heather Van Cleave has seen how impactful the memorial services have been for the families during her four years with Guardian Angels.

“It is very healing for them,” Van Cleave said. “Many families come back year after year.”

Guardian Angels makes sure every family who has lost a loved one in the past year has a butterfly set aside for them. In addition to these, families can come back every year; while a “fee” is not charged for a butterfly, many make a donation in memory of their late loved ones, and anyone is welcome to release a butterfly.

“I have had new staff members release a butterfly for the first time,” Van Cleave. “It is something magical to see.”

CEO Andrea Yung also appreciates how the butterfly releases fit into who they are as a home care and hospice.

“It fits with our culture and mission, and who we say we are,” Jung said.

Guardian Angels is committed to the three Cs: Christian mission, community-based, and continuity of care. This memorial service offers a way to bring everyone together to remember loved ones through nature, God’s creation.

The Memorial Service

The service is comprised of music, speakers, and time to speak about what the butterfly release means. Then, the butterflies are handed out.

Rebecca Mauriala, of Butterfly Memories in Isanti, raises the butterflies that are released. A few days prior to the service, they enjoy plenty of watermelon and Gatorade, which puts them into a relaxed state so Mauriala can gently place them in the light, folded paper envelopes; they will then need to be released within the next 72 hours.

The release of all of the butterflies is a unique and special sight.

“The moment is hard to describe,” Van Cleave said. “There’s a connection to nature, and a connection to the beauty of it.”

“There are so many emotions involved, too,” Jung added. “There are people there who are all in different stages of bereavement, joyful and mournful.”

This year, with the added isolation and separation, many families were able to join together during the service. At a recent service, a woman who was honoring her late husband was joined by ten family members; because of COVID-19, they had not yet had a funeral, so the service was a way to memorialize him.

With the simple gesture of offering a butterfly to release, Guardian Angels helps families celebrate and remember their loved ones, while also connecting with God’s creation. As the butterflies take flight and return to nature, a weight is lifted by their wings and the hope faith offers brings a sense of peace and healing to everyone at the memorial service.