Hinds Hospice of Merced held its Lights of Love holiday observance on Tuesday as an opportunity to remember loved ones.

The group said the lighting’s tree symbolizes a place to mourn, remember and love.

The hospice held the tree-lighting ceremony across from the VFW Hall at the corner of Fifth and Broadway in Atwater.

People could sponsor a light on the tree for $10 to be lit in memory of their loved one, and the names were read during the candlelight ceremony, which included songs, a memorial reading, reading of the names, a candle-lighting and the lighting of the tree.