Rice Hosts Annual Remembrance Service

Rice Funeral Service & Cremation Center will help the community honor their lost loved ones at the annual Tree of Remembrance Service December 8.

The staff of Rice Funeral Service & Cremation Center: Owner Kathy Dopp (seated) and the staff of Rice Funeral Service (L to R): Jason Rouk, Erin McElwain, Chandra Krafft, Kenny DeLozier, Gina Wilson, Haley DeLozier and Fred Miehe.

Kathy Dopp and her staff at Rice Funeral Service & Cremation Center are once again preparing for the ­annual Tree of Remembrance Service. This special event will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, in the Chapel of the Garden at Rice Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 631 E. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore.

    Though Christmas is ­traditionally a time of joy and celebration, it can also hold much grief and stress for ­families who have ­experienced the loss of a loved one.

    Rice Funeral Service began this service 24 years ago as a way for families to honor the memory of a loved one, meet others who are experiencing a sense of loss, and be reminded that even though their loved ones are gone, memories can be ­comforting and are there ­forever.

    “As in years past, anyone who would be comforted and helped through participation is welcomed at the Tree of Remembrance Service,” said Dopp. “The service is not just for people who have had a recent loss. Nor does it ­matter if Rice was entrusted with the arrangements. There are a number of our friends from the community who come every year. This is a way to include our loved ones in the holiday season.”

    Committed to the idea that sharing with others ­provides a special form of healing, all of the staff at Rice will be on hand to ensure that the afternoon events run smoothly. In ­addition to owner Kathy Dopp, Rick Fortner and Tommie Graham will greet attendees as they have in many of the past years, along with their coworkers Kenny DeLozier, Jason Rouk, Haley DeLozier, Gina Wilson, Chandra Krafft and Eric McElwain, who have all been busy preparing for what has become a ­holiday ­tradition at Rice.

    During the service a tree will be decorated with ­ornaments inscribed with the deceased loved one's name. Each family hangs their ­ornament and is given time to speak of their loved one. Participants are asked to notify Rice Funeral Service at (918) 341-0376 so ornaments can be personalized in advance. The evening will also include ­musical selections by Ray Teakell.

    For many years Rice has partnered with the Toys for Tots toy drive, and will do so again this year. Those who wish to participate may bring a new, unwrapped toy to place beneath the tree. The toys will be delivered to the toy room to provide Christmas gifts for needy children in the ­community. 

For more information, contact

Rice Funeral Service & Cremation Center

www.ricefuneralservice.com   

About Author Sheryl Sowell

Sheryl Sowell was born and raised in Tulsa, OK. She graduated from Will Rogers High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Northeastern State University in 2007. She has worked for Value News as editor, writer and advertising copywriter since 2008. She enjoys meeting and interviewing people for Value News articles, learning about their backgrounds, and helping to promote their businesses and local events. In her free time, she enjoys reading, trying new recipes and crafts from Pinterest, attending concerts and sporting events, and spending time with family and friends. Sheryl lives in Tulsa with her fiancé Paul, their daughter Scarlett, and their two dogs, Gunner and Boo.