Finding Comfort in Shared Grief: The Tree of Angels Ceremony

In December 2023, over 300 people gathered at the First United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas. They were there to honor loved ones lost to violent crime. This event, called the Tree of Angels ceremony, has been happening for 28 years in Dallas County. It started in 1991 by Verna Lee Carr, a victim advocate. Carr passed away earlier in the year, but her legacy lives on. The ceremony is now in its 35th year.

A Tradition of Remembrance

The ceremony is a way for families to come together and remember their loved ones. Each family hangs an angel ornament on a Christmas tree. This small act helps them feel connected to their loved ones during the holidays. For many, it's a way to cope with their grief.

Voices of the Ceremony

Nicole Syas

• Lost her uncle to violence
• Spoke about the pain of losing someone to murder
• Emphasized the importance of sharing stories and finding comfort in the ceremony

Pat Keaton

• Started the ceremony in Dallas County
• Still helps organize it even after retiring
• Believes in the importance of families talking about their loss

Jacob Gonzales

• Attending since 2016
• Lost his mother and sister to murder
• Finds comfort in the community of people who understand their pain

Bessie Hawkins

• Attending since 2012
• Lost her daughter to murder
• Hangs the same angel ornament every year in memory of her daughter

Kim Segale

• Lost her son in 2010
• Has been coming to the ceremony for 15 years
• Helps other families going through similar situations

Sumer Wassef

• Chairs the Tree of Angels committee
• Works in victim services for over two decades
• Believes the ceremony helps families find a supportive community

Niki Endicott

• Attending with her mother for about 25 years
• Lost her brother to violence
• The ceremony has become a family tradition for them

A Message of Healing

At the ceremony, Nicole Syas urged families to allow themselves to feel their grief. She encouraged them to lean on each other and find rituals that bring comfort during the holiday season.