WASHINGTON – Daviess Community Hospital (DCH) has established a cherished tradition to honor local nurses who have passed away through its Nurse Honor Guard. Coordinated by Sharon Mead, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, DCH’s Oncology Nurse Navigator, the service is a solemn tribute to the legacy and service of these healthcare professionals.
The Nurse Honor Guard made up of volunteer nurses, performs a meaningful ceremony at the funeral or celebration of the life of the deceased nurse. With family consent, the service can occur at funeral homes, churches, or other locations of the family’s choosing. The ceremony includes reading the Florence Nightingale Pledge, presenting a white rose, and a symbolic roll call to relieve the nurses of their earthly duties. The family also receives a Florence Nightingale lamp as a lasting symbol of the nurse’s commitment.
Since its inception in 2014, DCH has participated in nearly 300 services statewide, joining a statewide movement that began in Indiana in 2008. The program is supported by working and retired nurses volunteering at local funeral homes in Daviess County and nearby communities.
“We are deeply moved by the gratitude of families,” Mead shared. “It is an honor to recognize the lifelong commitment to care that nurses embody, and we are blessed by the support of families and volunteers who help sustain this meaningful program.”
While the service is free, donations are accepted to cover expenses. Donations can be sent to Daviess Community Hospital, c/o Nurse Honor Guard, PO Box 760, Washington, IN 47501.
For more information, contact Sharon Mead at 812-254-2760, ext. 1426.
