On behalf of CHEO and Roger Neilson Children's Hospice, in collaboration with the Compassionate Friends, we present the annual Butterfly Release Memorial. This year, we will be hosting an in-person event in the cafeteria on Level 1 at CHEO. If you are not able to attend in-person, a virtual remembrance video will be emailed to you before June 30th.
RSVP information is found below.
RSVP
About the in-person event (June 20, 2026) |
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What to expect on the day
Other details Attendees to the in-person ceremony will be greeted by volunteers and led to the cafeteria. The Canterbury High School Choir will be providing music while attendees arrive and during the ceremony. The ceremony will be about 45 minutes in length. When you arrive, you will be asked to check in at the visitor’s table to sign in and receive your butterfly (1 per family). When checking in, you will be able to let us know who you are there to remember. During the ceremony, the name of your loved one will be read aloud. To respect the privacy of all presenters and attendees, we ask that no photos or videos be taken during the ceremony. You are welcome to remain and to talk with other families, staff and medical staff after the ceremony. |
For more information, please contact Patient Experience by phone (613) 737-7600 ext. 4934 or email butterflyrelease@cheo.on.ca
Butterfly activity sheet
Grief and loss can be expressed in many different ways. It’s often children who are able to express theirs beautifully through creative art.
If your child, youth or other family members (of any age) would like to use this butterfly template to express themselves, we've created this butterfly activity sheet for your family to use before, during or after the ceremony.
Here are a few prompts to help you get started:
- Draw memories of your loved one in the butterfly
- Write words that remind you of your loved on in the butterfly
- Use colours that show how you are feeling