Fairfield Co. — At Fairfield Central High School on Saturday, the first-annual Service of Remembrance took place to support those who have lost loved ones.
At the forefront of the event was Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill. A man no stranger to death, he started planning the event last year to help those in mourning.
"God placed it on my heart to do it," Hill said. "...Letting them know that there's help out there, somebody that they can talk to."
Hill planned the event for the holiday's intentionally.
Although this should be a time for joy and celebration, that's not always the case for everyone, especially those who have lost a loved one.
"We had been married for 54 years," Mary Brown said. "I truly miss him, especially during this holiday time."
Brown says she's thankful for the service, because she was able to learn strategies to cope with grief.
So was Vetineet Hueitt. She drove-up from Georgia at the request of her Aunt who lives nearby.
"I wanted to cry, I did, but I held back the tears," Hueitt said. "A warm feeling just went through my body just a joyous occasion, it really is."
The service wrapped up with refreshments in the lobby. Hill says he hopes to see the event grow even larger next year.