Nursing Honor Guard
The presence of the MercyOne Nursing Honor Guard shines a light on nurses’ dedication to the health care field, and helps ease the feeling of grief during a time of loss.
MercyOne Nursing Honor Guard recognizes and pays homage to colleagues who have dedicated their professional lives to nursing, and honor these individuals upon their death.
At the family’s request, MercyOne Nursing Honor Guard will pay tribute to any current or retired MercyOne Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse, as well as graduates of Mercy College of Health Sciences, whose funeral services are within a 50-mile radius of Des Moines.
MercyOne Nursing Honor Guard offers several services that can be coordinated with the family:
- Stand guard at the casket or urn
- Recite “A Nurse’s Prayer”
- Read “The Nightingale Tribute”
- Final Call to Duty
- Gift Nightingale lamp or carnation to family
At the end of the graveside service, the Honor Guard will place a carnation – a symbol of the nurse’s dedication to their profession – on the casket. Members of the Honor Guard will wear traditional white uniform and cap, with the vintage wool navy and red cape.
To request the presence of the MercyOne Nursing Honor Guard at the memorial service or to volunteer to become a member, please call 515-643-8400.
