Glens Falls Hospital Nursing Honor Guard Tribute Ceremony

Nursing is not just a job, it is a calling to help others across a spectrum of time in people’s lives. This profession becomes a part of our character and builds who we are as a person.

After nurses retire it is often forgotten or overlooked how important that time spent helping others was to that person. In death, the meaning of being a nurse is most often missed when celebrating that person’s life.

The Glens Falls Hospital Nursing Honor Guard was developed by a group of registered nurses who thought it would be wonderful to pay tribute to the nursing careers of those nurses who pass away in our community.

Nursing Honor Guard ceremonies are performed all over the country by nurses who want to give back and pay tribute to fellow nurses who have passed away.

What does a Nursing Honor Guard ceremony entail?

The ceremony itself is generally five to ten minutes long. Elements include a short synopsis of the nurse’s career, lighting of a candle and memorial lamp that is given to family at the end of the ceremony, a reading of the Florence Nightingale Nursing Tribute: A Final Call to Duty, and a white rose is placed with the nurse. The volunteers can also stand and have a presence at calling hours or throughout the funeral service if family wishes. The details of each ceremony are decided on by the family or loved ones of the deceased nurse.

Who qualifies for the Nursing Honor Guard ceremony?

Any nurse from our community qualifies to have this tribute ceremony. This includes any Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or Nurse Practitioner. One does not need to have been employed at Glens Falls Hospital to qualify for the tribute.