February is a month devoted to love, whether romantic, familial or the quieter kinds that show up through service and compassion. In that spirit, we are proud to highlight the local chapter of the Nurse Honor Guard, a group whose work embodies love in one of its purest forms. Through solemn tributes and selfless dedication, these nurses honor their colleagues at life’s final moment, offering comfort, dignity and gratitude. It’s a heartwarming reminder that love isn’t only expressed with cards and flowers, but also through respect, remembrance and care for one another.
The Nurse Honor Guard began in 2003 with the Kansas State Nurses Association. What started as a dedicated group of volunteer nurses paying tribute to their colleagues who have passed away has since expanded to include over 250 groups across the United States. Each group operates independently, which allows for local customs and practices while adhering to the core mission of honoring nurses.
The Delaware/Chester County chapter of the Nurse Honor Guard provides a tribute to any RN or LPN who passed away in the Delaware/Chester County area. Founded in 2024 by Marianne Antes, a hospice nurse from Delaware County, the chapter has 32 members and continues to grow. Marianne said she was inspired to start the local chapter after seeing a video of a tribute online. “I was so moved by the video,” she recalled. “It reminded me that as nurses, we make many sacrifices, which was especially evident after the COVID pandemic. Nurses definitely deserved to be recognized.”
From frontline nurses to college professors, the local chapter is made up of nurses from all stages of their careers, including working, retired or semi-retired nurses. Donna Yarnell, a Broomall resident and member of the Delco/Chesco Nurse Honor Guard, explained that the program works with nursing homes, adult living centers and funeral homes, to get the word out about this special ceremony, packed full of meaning and reverence for the life of the nurse caregiver. The Delco/Chesco Chapter offered their first tribute in November of 2024 and since then have given several across our county, including at St. Pius Church and local funeral homes such as Logan-Videon and D’Anjolell Memorial Homes. “From my place beside families in their hardest moments, I’ve seen how a nurse honor guard brings a rare kind of comfort,” said Funeral Director Rob D’Anjolell. “Their presence at a memorial service offers comfort to grieving families, reinforcing the idea that their loved one’s contributions were meaningful and appreciated.”
The Honor Guard tribute lasts approximately five minutes, with each Guard nurse dressed in the traditional white uniform with a white cap, blue cape and white gloves. During the ceremony, volunteers recite the Nightingale Tribute. A white rose is placed on the casket or next to the urn, symbolizing the nurse’s dedication to the profession.
Afterward, the nurse’s name is called three times, followed by the ringing of a triangle. Then the nurse is honorably relieved from nursing duties, and the light from a Nightingale lamp, that had been carried into the ceremony, is extinguished before handing it over to the family. “Although it’s not a long presentation, families are thrilled with this tribute,” Donna said proudly. Marianne said that the chapter receives many heartfelt letters from families after these tributes. “It was truly a beautiful ceremony and it meant so much to our family and loved ones,” said one Marple Newtown family. Another local family shared: “Your dedication and respect brought comfort and pride during a difficult time.”
This initiative draws inspiration from military honor guards, adapting the concept to honor nurses specifically. The primary purpose is to recognize the profound contributions of nurses throughout their careers. “Nurses are often away from home, taking care of others and their families,” said Donna. “These ceremonies serve to acknowledge their dedication to caring for others, even in the face of personal sacrifice.”
Are you a nurse seeking to rekindle the passion you had as a new nurse? Have years of practice left you wondering what additional opportunities exist to sustain your professional enthusiasm? The Delco/Chesco Nurse Honor Guard is seeking exceptional nurses to join their chapter. Nurses interested in joining and families who wish to ask for a tribute for their loved one can contact dccpanhg@gmail.com.