FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: LAURA SOLL  (860) 688-4499

TWO AREA-WIDE INTERFAITH SERVICES OF REMEMBRANCE
TO HELP CELEBRATE THE LIVES OF LOVED ONES WHO DIED
Call Now to Reserve a Seat for Either Service - South Windsor or Bloomfield

WINDSOR, CONN., May 9, 2006 - Two upcoming community events can help people cope with the death of a relative or friend by celebrating the person's life. All are invited to attend one of two Interfaith Services of Remembrance, presented by Carmon Community Funeral Homes. The first service will be Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter Episcopal Church at 109 Sand Hill Rd. in South Windsor. The second service will be Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at The First Cathedral at 1151 Blue Hills Ave. in Bloomfield.

Designed for people of all faiths, the uplifting Services of Remembrance program was created 22 years ago by Carmon Community Funeral Homes. The 60-year-old family-owned company is based in Windsor, Conn., and manages nine funeral homes in Greater Hartford.

"Many people want the opportunity to formally remember a family member, especially around Memorial Day," explains Mary C. Keane, Family Counselor and Coordinator of Bereavement Services at Carmon Community Funeral Homes, and the Executive Director of Mary's Place, A Center for Grieving Children and Families. "After the intensity of the initial period of grieving, it can be helpful to take time to celebrate the life of someone we have loved. This service of remembrance conveys a sign of hope for new life."

Both programs will include music, inspirational readings, a candle lighting ceremony in which a list of individuals to be remembered will be read one-at-a-time.

The May 18 South Windsor program will feature Rev. Thomas White of St. Peter Episcopal Church in South Windsor; Patricia Naegeli, Hospice Chaplin of North Central Hospice; Thomas Conklin, Deacon of St. Margaret Mary Church in South Windsor; and Rev. Mark Abernethy of Wapping Community Church in South Windsor.

The May 25 Bloomfield program will feature Bishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. of The First Cathedral; Rev. Lloyd R. Thompson of Poquonock Community Church in Windsor; Rabbi Alan Lefkowitz of Congregation Beth Ahm synagogue; Joe Colletti of East Granby, a consultant and author, who himself suffered the loss of a child; and Deacon Donald Norton of St. Mary's Church in Windsor Locks.
To reserve a seat or get more information about either service, call Carmon Community Funeral Homes in Windsor at 860-688-2200 or toll-free at 1-888-688-8475.

Carmon Funeral Homes, a 60-year-old family-owned company, is managed by brothers Frank III and John Carmon. It operates eight funeral homes in North Central Connecticut: Carmon Funeral Home on Bloomfield Ave. in Windsor; Carmon Poquonock Funeral Home in Windsor; Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home in Granby; Ladd Homestead in Rockville; Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home in Vernon; Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home in Suffield; Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home in South Windsor; and South Green Memorial Home in Hartford, Conn. Its new Farmington Valley location is Carmon Funeral Home & Family at 301 Country Club Rd. in Avon.