The Butterfly Release Ceremony is an Annual Neonatal Memorial to celebrate and remember infants who have died. This memorial service began in 2004 after the NICU team decided they wanted to do something to honor these families and the babies who so greatly touched so many people's lives. Click here to go straight to the Butterfly Release website.
This event is a celebration of the short lives of these babies; an opportunity to remember them and honor them. Parents who have lost a child receive an invitation by mail to attend this ceremony. It is a time where parents can connect with each other and support one another as a group.
At the ceremony we have a "circle of remembrance" and parents each say their child's name and a little something about their child. Then when the circle is completed all of the parents release their butterfly as a symbol of hope, love, and remembrance. The butterfly is symbolic in that it represents life after death. It is a changing of one life form into another; a transition from the stillness of the chrysalis to the emergence of a winged butterfly.
There is also an Indian Legend that butterflies carry messages and prayers to God. During the ceremony children sing wonderful uplifting music; words are spoken by a physician and a parent and finally, all parents and staff are invited to say a few words.
During the butterfly release ceremony the staff also dedicate a brick for the Memorial Walkway for a baby. Parents can also choose to recognize their child by donating to the Memorial Walkway. For more information please contact Adrienne Woods.
This ceremony takes place annually with the help of staff, parents and the community-all on a volunteer basis. The staff will personally organize the event, set up, take down and prepare the food for the event.
If you are interested in learning more about this event or would have questions feel free to contact us anytime. To RSVP for this event please click here.
Location:
Frazier Park:
1201 West 4th Street
Charlotte, NC
Directions to Frazier Park:
From the Hospital:
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If you are leaving the front of the hospital, take a left on Kings Drive.
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At the next light, take a left on Morehead Street
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Take Morehead Street toward town, past the stadium and under I-277
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At the next light take a right on Cedar Street
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Take a left on First Street or Greenleaf Avenue
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Parking is on the road or in the lot at the end of the road
From I-77:
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Take the Trade Street Exit (Northbound is Exit 10 / Southbound is Exit 10B)
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From the exit ramp, turn right into town on W. Trade Street
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Stay in right lane and pass Sycamore Green on right
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Take right on Johnson and Wales Way for one block.
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At light take left on Fourth Street. All lanes can turn left, stay in right lane.
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At light take right on S. Cedar Street
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Take right on Greenleaf Avenue or First Street (there has been construction at
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end of First Street).
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Parking is on the road or in lot at the end of the road.
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