Families from across Huron County will come together on Sunday, August 24, 2025 for a heartfelt tradition: the 9th Annual Huron Hospice Butterfly Release. The event offers a powerful and symbolic way to honour the memory of loved ones, with a communal butterfly release set in the peaceful gardens at Bender House.
Hosted by Huron Hospice, the gathering invites participants to release butterflies as a tribute to those they’ve lost, with each butterfly representing transformation, hope, and renewal. It’s a shared moment of remembrance, reflection, and community healing.
"This event is about connection and bringing the community together to support the work being done at Huron Hospice," said Executive Director Willy Van Klooster. "It gives families the chance to gather, reflect, and celebrate the lives of the people who meant so much to them."
The ceremony will include a reading of names submitted in memory of loved ones, creating a touching and emotional tribute before the butterflies are set free. Those unable to attend in person are also welcome to purchase butterflies to release privately at a location meaningful to them.
Funds raised through the Butterfly Release support Huron Hospice’s core services, including palliative care, grief counselling, and bereavement support for families throughout the region. The annual event is not only a celebration of life but also one of the hospice’s most meaningful fundraisers.
"This is one of the most heartfelt events we host each year," added Van Klooster. "It supports the work we do while reminding people they are not alone in their grief."
Huron Hospice is also a certified butterfly waystation, meaning the gardens at Bender House are specially cultivated to support butterflies throughout their lifecycle. The hospice uses organic practices and grows a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to create a safe and thriving environment for the butterflies that are released.
According to the International Butterfly Breeders Association, releasing butterflies not only honours loved ones but also contributes to environmental education and pollinator conservation. The IBBA notes that captive-bred butterflies retain their migratory instincts and can integrate naturally into their ecosystems.
Butterflies for the ceremony can be purchased in advance for $40 by visiting www.huronhospice.ca/butterfly-release or by contacting Kaitlyn Mathers at kaitlyn.mathers@huronhospice.ca. The deadline to order is August 15.
