PROCTORVILLE — As happy as the holidays are for many, there are some who dread the thought of them. Those are the ones who have lost a loved one and look at the coming days as filled with sadness.

“Holidays are the most difficult time with the grieving process,” Ernie Hall of Hall Funeral Home, said.

That is why the Hall family started 13 years ago a memorial ceremony for those families facing that kind of loss. It has become a tradition that the community looks forward to each season.

The date is always the same, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year the service will begin at 1 p.m. at Hall Funeral Home.

“We send out invitations for the primary next of kin of everyone who lost a loved one,” Hall said. “The name of the deceased is read and someone representing that family comes forward and places their remembrance ornament on the Tree of Life. The invitation is for this year, but we do not turn away anyone. There are some who come from years past.”

Each family brings an ornament that best represents some characteristic or interest of their loved one. This specially decorated tree is kept up throughout the holiday season.

“After the first of the year, if they are able to come back and pick up the ornament,” Hall said. “If not, we will store it for them.”

Also at the service will be special music and a message from Dr. Gary Patton, a counselor at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

“Going through the process of grieving, it is natural and you are expected to grieve,” Hall said. “He offers a philosophy on coping and helping with the difficult phases of the grieving process.”

Besides his work as a counselor, Patton also understands the grieving process, having lost both parents — his mother only a few months ago.

“It is a real uplifting service,” Hall said. “It is emotional. There are tears but they are healing tears. We get a lot of positive feedback.”