Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations will honor the lives of those they laid to rest at an annual community celebration of life this month.

“It started out as the balloon release some years back, but this is the second year that we’ve done this,” said Joe Stringer, office manager.

On Sunday, Oct. 20, on the grounds of the funeral home, Stringer will join Nancy Hodges for a live performance of praise music. The program will also include a few words from Minister David Tooser.

“We’ll have (Tooser) speak briefly on grief and then we’ll have a balloon release,” said Greg Purser, funeral director.

Families will be invited to stay for a pig-pickin’ supper catered by Keyzer Catering.

“It’s just really a time to get together,” Stringer said. “You know a lot of times just talking amongst themselves has a healing effect.”

Families who lost a loved one in the last five years were sent invitations, but Purser said the celebration is open to anyone.

The celebration will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hillside, 4500 NC Highway 264 East, in Washington. To RSVP or learn more about the celebration, contact Hillside at 975-4500.