How a Kelowna Christmas tree helps families remember loved ones

• Located at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery
• Ornaments can be placed on the tree
• Been a tradition since 1998

Residents of Kelowna can pay homage to loved ones during the holiday season by placing an ornament on a special tree at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery.

Every year since 1998, the Tree of Memories has allowed people to remember those who’ve passed.

“It’s really grown to be quite a tradition for a lot of people, and we always do have new people that come every year,” Tracey Hillis, Cemetery Manager told Kelowna10.

From Dec. 6 to Jan. 7, ornaments can be hung on the tree located under the dome at the Promontory Green Interment Garden. Ornaments can also be placed on the trees that surround the Legacy Gardens and Bennet Memorial.

“This will always be an opportunity at Christmas time to come and have a memorial opportunity, whether it’s just one person, or you bring generations of a family,” Hillis explained.

She said people start calling the cemetery from the end of November to the start of December asking when the tree will be put up so they can bring their ornaments.

“People have noted that they’ve actually got inspiration from things that are on the tree,” Hillis said.

“They might have brought a specific ornament and they see that someone else has personalized an ornament or wrote a note.”

The Tree of Memories also helps bring people into the cemetery year-round to respectfully enjoy the acres of park and walkways.

“It’s a beautiful park. [We want] to encourage people to come and visit the cemetery in the wintertime,” Hillis said.

“It’s something they’ve come to treasure and it’s a part of their family or individual traditions over Christmas.”

Those who wish to keep their ornaments should retrieve them from the tree before Jan. 9, 2022.