Light the Memories a time of peace for Winnipeggers in mourning

Each spring, cards filled with memories of loved ones — written by Winnipeggers during the holiday season — are gathered and burned at Assiniboine Park.

The event is called Light the Memories and the ceremony, held Thursday, is where grief finds connection and release, according to its organizers. 

“Very often, people hide it and shelter it,” said Norman Brown, a volunteer with Palliative Manitoba, as the fire at the event started to burn in front of him. “It’s so important to be able to grieve healthily.”

Norman Brown is a long-time volunteer with Palliative Manitoba and since the Light the Fires event began six years ago, he’s been at every one. 

“It’s part of my grieving ceremony as well, because every year we experience some loss in our life, whether it be friends or relatives or pets.”

Nearly 2,000 handwritten cards were burned by staff, volunteers and those who penned the memorial messages, while reflecting on love and loss. Some lost people recently and others many years ago.

“All of these memories come together here in the fire. All of those messages that are written on the cards, they all get together and unite in flame and they all go up in smoke,” he said. “It’s a very spiritual experience to have this unification of grief, heading upward into the eternal heavens.”

Katharine Yurkiw, executive director with Palliative Manitoba, said this Light the Memories is her first, but for many, to participate in the burning is a pivotal point for many as they try to heal. 

“You’re not really sure what to expect or what you’re going to actually experience, so for me, that is really the takeaway from all of this and knowing that we have all of these beautiful messages from all of these people,” she said. 

“It moves through you,” she said when mourning. “That was really my experience, and grief changes over time, but it never goes away. It’s always with you.”

Describing the ceremony as both beautiful and breathtaking, she says people always come away with their own special experience after participating in the event. 

For Brown, he says that’s absolutely true in his case, as the event is soothing and offers solace. 

“I come with anticipation of closure and joy at having a celebration of this unified grieving together,” he said. “When I leave, I feel a sense of calm and peace.”