Friends And Family Members Of Former Hospice Patients Remember Loved Ones With Butterfly Release

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Hospice of Philadelphia, which is part of the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia, staged a special ceremony Thursday for family members of those for whom they have cared over the years.

On a beautiful Thursday afternoon, some 75 family members and friends of former hospice patients gathered with the nurses at their East Falls headquarters to help release 300 "Painted Lady" butterflies.

"And it's in memory of all the patients that we've taken care of, family members, it can be for anyone," said Jane Feinman, senior vice president of Hospice Philadelphia. "And, we're celebrating the lives of all the people that we love."

Each of the participants held a specially-folded envelope containing a butterfly. When the signal was given, they released them.

At the same time, a hospice official opened the lid on a box containing dozens of butterflies which gradually took flight.

Feinman says the families find comfort, hope and a sense of peace in the beauty and the flight of the butterflies.