ARLINGTON — Weller Funeral Home invites members of the surrounding community to take part in its 13th annual Holiday Remembrance Gathering at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, to honor the lives of their loved ones, both veterans and civilians.

Carrie Stucky, office manager of Weller Funeral Home in Arlington, promised attendees that they could expect words of inspiration, musical performances, fellowship and support from the hour-long program, which will additionally provide them with an opportunity to light candles in memory of their loved ones as they enter the establishment.

“The service will open with [Smokey Point Community Church Pastor] Bryce McFadden offering a meditation and words of comfort, followed by a musical selection performed by Jackie Fuller and Peach Ice,” said Stucky, who added that the presentation would also include a DVD slideshow of names and photos of those who have passed away this year, whose families Weller Funeral Home has served. “After this, we’ll take time to honor our local veterans who have passed away this year, and who did not receive military honors when they passed away, through a mass committal.”

The Washington Army National Guard is set to present the colors at this point, and the program will wrap up with another musical selection, followed by a reception complete with refreshments.

“Since the holidays can be particularly difficult for those who have lost a loved one, this event has always been a chance for families that we have served over the last year, as well as anyone else in the community who has lost a loved one, to come together and remember their loved ones, and to connect with others who have also experienced that loss,” Stucky said. “The holidays can be especially troubling, whether you’ve lost someone recently or it’s been years since they passed away.”

While Weller Funeral Home sends out personal invitations to the families whom its staff has served over the course of the previous two years — for this year’s Holiday Remembrance Gathering, from the start of 2012 through the final months of 2013 — Stucky emphasized that the community as a whole is welcome to attend the event, and whether Weller Funeral Home has served their families recently, or even at all, they can expect to receive comfort and support for their own grief.

“There is no set of qualifications, as everyone’s experience with grief is different,” Stucky said. “There is no process to qualify. The invitations we mail out do request that families RSVP, but if someone from the community wants to stop in for the event, we will not turn anyone away.”

Weller Funeral Home is located at 327 N. MacLeod Ave. in Arlington. For more information, call 360-435-2509, email director@wellerfh.net or log onto www.wellerfh.com.