Butterfly Release Ceremonies Planned Across Southern Illinois
May 07, 2026
HSHS Home Care invites community members to join them for butterfly release ceremonies at locations throughout southern Illinois at these Hospital Sisters Health System hospitals:
HSHS Holy Family Hospital, Greenville
Wednesday, May 13 at 4 p.m. in the fountain area (front of the hospital)
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon
Wednesday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Health Center
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland
Tuesday, June 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese
Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden/Gazebo Area
Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one who has passed. The ceremonies will include the reading of the names of those being honored in addition to the butterfly release.
Valerie Engelbart, Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care, said, “These butterfly release ceremonies provide a special time for families in our communities to honor their loved ones. The butterfly represents the transformation of the spirit as our loved ones transition from this life. As we release butterflies together, we celebrate the lives that have touched our hearts and find comfort in our shared experiences of love and loss.”
You may also reserve a butterfly online by visiting giving.hshs.org/sae/donate and following these steps:
HSHS Holy Family Hospital, Greenville
Wednesday, May 13 at 4 p.m. in the fountain area (front of the hospital)
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon
Wednesday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Health Center
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland
Tuesday, June 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese
Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden/Gazebo Area
Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one who has passed. The ceremonies will include the reading of the names of those being honored in addition to the butterfly release.
Valerie Engelbart, Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care, said, “These butterfly release ceremonies provide a special time for families in our communities to honor their loved ones. The butterfly represents the transformation of the spirit as our loved ones transition from this life. As we release butterflies together, we celebrate the lives that have touched our hearts and find comfort in our shared experiences of love and loss.”
In addition to attending to honor a loved one, you are invited to personally release a butterfly for your loved one by reserving a butterfly for $15 to be paid prior to the ceremony. To purchase a butterfly and/or RSVP for the ceremony, contact Engelbart by calling or texting 217-685-0702 or emailing [email protected].
You may also reserve a butterfly online by visiting giving.hshs.org/sae/donate and following these steps:
- Under the “I want to support” section, select “Butterfly Release and/or Hospice Memorials”.
- Check “I would like to dedicate this gift”, select type of dedication (In Memory Of), and fill in the name of your loved one under “Honoree name.”
Media Contact
Kelly Barbeau
System Director, Communications & Public Relations