Hospice Yukon’s 29th annual Lights of Life event will begin at 12:15 p.m. Thursday with the opening ceremony in the atrium of the Elijah Smith Building.

“This gentle ceremony is a longstanding Yukon tradition that includes speakers, poems, and the beautiful voices of the Persephone Singers and Whitehorse Chamber Choir,” Hospice Yukon said Monday.

“Lights of Life gives Yukoners the opportunity to honour their loved ones who have died by doing the simple and meaningful act of hanging a remembrance tag on a Lights of Life tree,” said Stacey Jones, Hospice Yukon’s executive director.

“The holidays are a time when we share special time with friends and family. This can also make it a difficult time when we are missing loved ones who are no longer with us.

“Coming to Lights of Life is a way to create some time and space in the busy holiday season to honour those important relationships,” Jones added.

There are five trees at the Elijah Smith Building, including a pet tree and a child tree.

“Bringing a child to Lights of Life to remember a special relationship is a wonderful way to teach the important life skill of healthy grieving,” said Deb Higgins, Hospice Yukon’s communications co-ordinator.

“We also have a pet tree at Lights of Life to honour the significance place pets have in our lives and in our hearts.”

Each year, Hospice Yukon hosts a different display at Lights of Life.

This year, the theme for the display is “The Little Things” ... the unique, personal, sometimes quirky things we do to remember our loved ones and keep their memory close.

Yukoners have submitted writing and photos describing the everyday gestures that remind them of their loved ones and offer some comfort in their absence.

Visitors to the display may also contribute to it while it’s up in the atrium of the Elijah Smith Building from Dec. 12-19.

Trees at that building are available for hanging tags on Thursday after the opening ceremony until 5 p.m., then weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 18, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Those looking for a more quiet and private space are welcome to visit the tree at Hospice House during office hours, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays until Dec. 20.

Lights of Life trees are also located at Hospice House (409 Jarvis St.) and many other locations around Whitehorse.

“We are pleased that many Yukon communities are holding their own grieving ritual with memory trees,” Hospice Yukon said.

“Hospice Yukon is grateful to the many community members and businesses that contribute to this annual event, and to Yukon government for their longstanding support of Hospice Yukon.

“We encourage everyone to find a meaningful way to remember and honour loved ones they are missing this holiday season.”