The Story of the Venetian Homecoming Quilt
Buzy Bees is a social group of elders living at the Venetian that take on various volunteer projects throughout the month. One project in particular is very special and known as the Homecoming Ceremony. The Buzy Bee group has developed a very special project that celebrates the life of a fellow elder when they pass away. This was designed to allow the care partners and managers to pay their final respects while providing the families with emotional support during a difficult time.
Each elder sews a seperate fabric square that features a symbol of peace from a different religion. The squares are then sewn together by a volunteer group to form a large quilt. Each square and each quilt is unique and represents the individuality of each person that is creating as well as the person who will receive the quilt. Once the family has paid their final farewell, the ceremony begins with the covering of the body with the Homecoming Quilt. The care partners and managers that are present then join together in a procession which includes music and candles as they escort the elder who has passed on to the awaiting funeral car.
The homecoming ceremony has been a memorable and emotionally touching event for families, elders and associates of the Venetian.