- March 11, 2025
The Flagler Palm Coast High School Formality Chorus sings "Silent Night" as the tree and the candles are lit at the close of the Candlelight Service of Remembrance at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Family members honor the loved ones they've lost with ornaments on the Tree of Remembrance. Photo by Brent Woronoff
People take photos and videos of the Tree of Remembrance before the ceremony. Photo by Brent Woronoff
People take photos of their ornaments placed on the Tree of Remembrance at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home. Photo by Brent Woronoff
People look over the ornaments before the Memorial Tree Candlelight Service. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Rev. Jim May reads The Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Jeanne Widdis places ornaments on the Tree of Remembrance in memory of her loed ones and friends. Photo by Brent Woronoff
People gather around the Tree of Remembrance before the ceremony at Craig Flagler Palms. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Jeanne Widdis placed several ornaments on the Tree of Remembrance at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in memory of family members and friends.
Dozens of people decorated the tree with tributes to loved ones on the evening of Dec. 1, just before Craig Flagler Palms’ 21st annual Candlelight Service of Remembrance.
The Russo/Walsh family originated the Tree of Remembrance to honor the memory of their son. The tree has since served as a gathering place at the beginning of the holiday season for families to remember the loved ones they lost.
“I’ve got a lot of people in that tree,” Craig Flagler Palms General Manager Sal Passalaqua said at the beginning of the candlelight service.
“We light candles to remember those who have gone before us,” he added.
The Flagler Palm Coast High School Formality Chorus performed music of the season throughout the ceremony. Pastor Shannon White of Palm Coast United Methodist Church recited Psalm 23, Rev. Jim May read the Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20, Rev. Wiley Lowe delivered a message for the occasion, Pastor Jeanine Clontz of Gentiva Hospice blessed the Tree of Remembrance with a prayer and delivered the benediction.
Candles were passed out to everyone in attendance. At the end of the ceremony the tree’s lights shone as the FPC Formality Chorus sang Joy to the World, Carol of the Bells and Silent Night.
