Honouring, Remembering, and Reflecting: Foundation Collaboration Brings the National Reflection Room to Beechwood Cemetery
In our nation’s capital, there are reminders of remembrance most places you look. Beechwood Cemetery, Canada’s National Cemetery, officially added another way for the public to reflect, heal, and connect with the launch of the National Reflection Room on Dec. 12. This dedicated space, located in Beechwood’s mausoleum, offers Canadians a unique place for quiet reflection, remembrance, and connection. Designed for all those seeking to honour loved ones and reflect on the legacies that shape our national story, the Reflection Room® is a participatory art installation where people can read and write stories about experiences with death, dying, grief and loss.
The launch marks the beginning of a year-long journey for the National Reflection Room, which will also serve as a pop-up installation at Beechwood events throughout the year. As a space accessible at various commemorative and community events, the Reflection Room symbolizes a commitment from Beechwood, Saint Elizabeth Foundation, and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA), to remembrance and connection across Canada.
“Seeing the Reflection Room® grow from a way to deal with pandemic-related loss during COVID-19 lockdowns to now having an installation in Canada’s National Cemetery is a testament to our collective commitment to making remembrance a part of our lives, every day of the year,” said Nancy Lefebre, COO, SVP, SE Health. “This collaboration with Beechwood Cemetery and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is another way our Foundation is helping to offer in-reach services to people across the country.”
Originally developed in 2016 by the SE Research Centre in collaboration with Memorial University, the Reflection Room integrates expertise in end-of-life care, grief, and bereavement, offering a tranquil space for people to reflect on the importance of legacy, healing, and connection in our lives.
“Grief and remembrance are deeply personal yet universal experiences,” said Nicolas McCarthy, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Community Outreach at Beechwood Cemetery. “We are honoured to open the National Reflection Room in collaboration with the Saint Elizabeth Foundation, SE Research Centre, and CHPCA. This space will provide a meaningful way for Canadians to find peace, connect with their heritage, and honour those they hold dear.”
About Beechwood Cemetery
Beechwood Cemetery is recognized as the National Cemetery of Canada, offering a space for remembrance, honour, and connection to the Canadian public. Beechwood serves as a resting place for Canadians of all backgrounds and is home to the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces, RCMP National Memorial Cemetery, and various sections that celebrate the diversity of Canadian heritage.
About the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is the national voice for quality hospice palliative care in Canada. It serves to advance hospice palliative care across the country by providing education, raising awareness, influencing public policy, and collaborating with provincial hospice palliative care associations.
About the Saint Elizabeth Foundation
The Saint Elizabeth Foundation is a national registered charity that supports end-of-life journeys for Canadians most in need. Our goal is to empower communities through thought leadership, knowledge exchange, education, and strategic investment, with a special focus on people who are structurally vulnerable, Indigenous Peoples, and grief and bereavement programs.
Saint Elizabeth Foundation. Supporting end-of-life journeys for Canadians most in need. Visit foundation.sehc.com. Contact foundation@sehc.com