Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum 4th Annual Lantern Lighting Celebration

This weekend, nearly 500 families will gather at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum for the 4th Annual Lantern Lighting Celebration, an event that offers families a meaningful way to honor their departed loved ones. This year, to aid in the healing process, Pinelawn has partnered with Paws of War, a Long Island-based nonprofit, to have therapy dogs present at the ceremony to offer support to grieving families. These therapy dogs, certified by Therapy Dog International, are expertly trained by the professionals at Paws of War to detect emotional distress and provide comfort and support to those who need it. Event attendees can choose to visit with the dogs at their discretion.

Set under the soft glow of string lights and accompanied by live music, families will have the opportunity to decorate floating lanterns with personal messages before releasing them into the peaceful Rose Garden Fountain. As the lanterns drift, the names of their loved ones will be read aloud during the ceremony, creating a moment of reflection and remembrance.