Alerts Sign-up
When the second annual butterfly release event, Celebration of Life and Remembrance, took place on September 11, 2022, attendees were met with gentle rain as forecasted. Nearly 300 people and 30 staff members from three VITAS Chicagoland offices gathered to honor loved ones who had recently passed away.
Deb Muffoletto, senior general manager for VITAS Healthcare, expressed a sentiment shared by many: “I like to believe the rain that fell today is a sign from our loved ones who have gone, telling us that they’re here with us today, and that they are doing well.”
The event was held at DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, Illinois. Known for its butterflies, the fairgrounds provided an ideal setting for remembrance and healing. Families of former VITAS patients joined chaplains, social workers, music therapists, volunteers, hospice team managers, and executives in the ceremony.
An attendee whose loved one was honored shared their appreciation: “It was a nice event... The event really gave my family the opportunity to get together. We wouldn’t have gotten together if it wasn’t for your event. It’s helping us heal and find closure as a family.”
Bereavement Manager Rev. Dr. Wanda Henry-Jenkins curated activities including words of consolation, songs, poetry, and dance reflecting the flight of butterflies. Despite the rain forcing the ceremony indoors at the fairgrounds facility, each family received a butterfly to release at their chosen time and place.
“We were committed to doing this event—rain or sunshine,” said Wanda Henry-Jenkins. “We knew how important it was to be there for our patients’ loved ones.”
Volunteer and Bereavement Manager Joseph Calderone described the significance of releasing butterflies: “The actual release of the butterfly is definitely therapeutic and very personal... you are free now and about to enter another stage of life on this Earth.”
A thank-you note from an attendee highlighted what the event meant: "Thank you for your invitation to join in the butterfly release yesterday... while my vision did not happen due to the incredible deluge of rain... seldom do things turn out the way we envision them."
