A special evening to honor lost loved ones was held in Tamaqua on Thursday.

Many community residents met at E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home for a dedication and butterfly release, as the sun went down over East Broad Street.

Funeral director Sank Griffiths said over 150 butterflies were released together to help remember the legacies of loved ones who are no longer with us.

“Through this past year, when there were passings, we could not come together. It was so sad for (Pastor) Cindy (White) and I. We’d be at services with nine people,” Griffiths said.

“You can Zoom whatever you want - without hugging, touching and reflection, it’s not the same.”

The Rev. White performed before the release, which featured guitar playing and vocals. Then, Griffiths’ personnel handed out butterflies to the public.

“The thing that it reminds me about is creation and how God is always with us, and that whenever we have issues, it’s better to face them together,” White said.

“That’s what this day allows us to do - to grieve but celebrate the lives of the people that they lost and loved.”

Griffiths explained his funeral home hosted a release for two straight years until the pandemic forced a one-year hiatus.

“It just makes you happy. Everyone had a tough, tough year,” Griffiths said. “You’re helping people, that’s what it’s all about.”

White said she isn’t originally from Tamaqua, but she spoke about her love of the community.

“One of the reasons why I love the people here so much is they do help one another. They recognized when people are hurting,” White said.

“As isolated as people were over the past months, people still were reaching out by phone, talking to one another and planning for when everyone can get back together. This community doesn’t like to leave people alone, which is remarkable and a blessing for everyone.”

With state mask mandates essentially gone, more in-person events such as Thursday’s dedication are on the horizon.

“I think people will start coming back to their churches and people will start gathering again and rejoice in the fact that we made it through these 18 months, which has been so devastating for so many,” White added.