Grieving parents honour children

The Grieving Parents' Society held its annual memorial service on Sunday to honour children who have died.

Edmonton’s Grieving Parents Society met Sunday to honour children who have died in its annual candle light ceremony.

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The peer support group meets on the third Thursday of every month to provide a safe and meaningful time with parents who have experienced the death of a child at any age and for any reason.

“We create a safe space to express some very difficult feelings,” said society member Candace Toews. “We lean on each other for support and fellowship.”

Parents were encouraged to bring photos of their children to be displayed on a memory table at the Evergreen Community Centre Sunday afternoon.

Toews said the candle light ceremony is a way for parents to express their love for their children.

“Lighting a candle is a very personal thing and often people have a little something they say,” Toews told CTV News Edmonton. “We hope it’s meaningful.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Gates Guarin