The butterfly has long been used to symbolize the soul, transformation, and, in Chinese tradition, immortality.
Butterfly releases have become a way to not only send a memorial message of love, honouring those who have passed away, but to release feelings of grief and loss.
Cynthia Breadner, a practitioner who works with grief, loss and compassionate care in Bradford, is holding a Butterfly Release on Sunday, Aug. 18 at Holland Gardens retirement residence.
“I have only participated in one other release and truly until then had never even heard of such a thing,” said Breadner. “I was in Beaverton in June of this year (for the release)… Now that I am hosting my own, I find that they are common.”
She has arranged for 24 ‘Painted Lady’ butterflies to be released at 2 p.m. at the retirement residence. The butterflies are native to Canada and will flourish once released into the environment.
Breadner decided to host the event because of her own work in grief management.
“So many people walk around in grief, suffering loss and not having a place to express or work through the sadness,” she said. “Over the past 15 years I have been working with aging populations in Christian worship, front-line caregiving, spiritual care and providing emotional support… and a common theme is the baggage carried, that is steeped in life’s losses and overwhelming grief.”
The Butterfly Release service, she said, “is a way I can give back to the community, and offer my assistance to anyone needing or seeking support with grief.”
To reserve a butterfly, contact Breadner at 647-234-9351 or [email protected]. Suggested donation is $15 per butterfly, with all proceeds going to the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation, directed towards the maintenance of Scanlon Creek “where I hope many of the butterflies will find their home,” Breadner said.
The event is sponsored by Skwarchuk Funeral Home in Bradford, and will take place at Holland Gardens, 552 Holland St. West. Breadner will read a memorial and compassion list for each butterfly released.
In September, Breadner, who has a Masters of Divinity in Theology and a BA in Gerontology, will be leading a monthly grief group, as well as therapeutic art workshops and bio-energetic programs, helping participants to deal with loss – from death of a loved one to job loss, divorce or separation.