Full military-style honors are accorded those who served in the armed services when they die. Firefighters are honored with the “Last Alarm Service” when they pass. A police officer’s funeral may include a long procession and the “Last Radio Call” to show respect. And now there’s a group in the Great Lakes Bay Region that pays tribute to nurses at the end of their lives.
The Michigan Tri-City Nurse Honor Guard was established in May of this year by several nurses who saw the need for such a group. Comprised of active and retired nurses, the Guard performs a short, free-of-charge ceremony at a funeral or memorial service highlighting the accomplishments, care and commitment of the nurse, and then “releasing” him or her from nursing duties.
Rose Lange, Professor of Nursing at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) and treasurer of the Tri-City Guard says nurses in the area saw a need for this, especially after COVID when many nurses died and were not recognized. “Now we can do that.”
Called the Nightingale Tribute after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, the ceremony consists of a brief account of the nurse’s career, the recitation of the “Nightingale Tribute”, placing a white rose on the casket or near the urn, performing a role call stating the nurse’s name alternating with the striking of a triangle, and the extinguishing of the Nightingale Lamp at the end.
Carol Phinney, retired RN and secretary of the Tri-City Guard says the family then receives the lamp and rose. Living tributes are also available when a fleece blanket is wrapped around the nurse when death is near.
Phinney says, “Being a nurse takes time away from family members, so it’s nice for them to see (this aspect of their loved one’s life).” Phinney became involved with the Guard because she wanted to honor her fellow nurses. All of my brothers are military, she says, and (the Honor Guard) was something I needed to do. “I feel so grateful when I go to a funeral to honor a nurse. What we do is a blessing; it moves everyone there.”
Joyce Cook, Senior Simulation Specialist in the MyMichigan Educational and Specialist Development Department and Vice Chair of the Tri-City Guard says, “Nursing is somewhat of a hidden profession (due to the privacy rights of the patients - HIPAA).You can’t really talk about it except with each other. The Guard honors that bond we have, and the family can see that bond, that closeness (at the service).”
Lange says her father was a firefighter and his service meant a lot to her family. “It was a way of honoring us during our time of grief,” she says. “Nurses have a career of service too,” and that’s been my motivation (with getting involved in the Guard).”
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Items used in the nurse tributes are the Nightingale Lamp used by Florence Nightingale to check on her patients, a white rose symbolizing the nurse’s dedication, and a triangle chimed alternately with the nurse’s name.
According to Lange, Nurse Honor Guards exist around the state of Michigan and are usually organized by county. She says coordination of the guards comes from both state and national levels, with Michigan’s leadership coming out of Muskegon. “From there, there’s organization between guards in order to fill the needs, to make sure people are there [for the tribute],” she says.
Cook says there is also a traveling Guard that covers areas in the state that don’t have their own. Nurse Honor Guards have been around since about 2003 she says. In getting established, the Tri-City Guard received support and guidance from the Genesee County Nurse Honor Guard, the Kirtland, MI Guard, and Sigma Theta Tau, the Theta Chi chapter of the international honor society of nurses at SVSU. Cook and Lange, as well as Mary Tompkins who serves as the Michigan Tri-City Nurse Honor Guard Chair, and Kristi Schaub are all founders of the Tri-City Guard.
“All LPNs and RNs, as well as nursing students, may join the Tri-City Nurse Honor Guard,” Cook says. The organization has about 200-250 members with 20-25 volunteers taking part in actual tributes. Those participating in these tributes pay for their own uniforms, but there is no charge for membership.
According to Lange, “The Guard stands on its own and is not attached to any institution.” The Guard holds fundraisers and accepts donations to cover the costs of the items the families receive, as well as to pay for brochures and general marketing.
“We’ve contacted all regional hospitals, hospice centers, funeral homes and assisted living facilities in Bay, Midland and Saginaw Counties about the Guard (and what it offers).” Cook says they have received very positive responses from the groups they’ve talked to.
“They’re happy to spread the word.” She also says it is her personal goal “to be able to offer every nurse in the area a tribute if they want one, to make sure it’s available.”
Anyone wishing to request a Michigan Tri-City Nurse Honor Guard Tribute or to volunteer with the group may send an email to nursehonorguardmtc@gmail.com
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