Nurses Honor Guard

Nurses dedicate their lives to the care and well-being of others. To recognize that devotion, the Capital Region Nurses Honor Guard, in partnership with local funeral homes, offers a Final Tribute honoring the compassion, service, and commitment of nurses who have passed away.



As part of this tribute, nurses dressed in traditional white uniforms gather to keep vigil and conduct a brief but moving ceremony. The service includes a reading of reflection, the symbolic lighting and extinguishing of the Nightingale lamp, the presentation of a white rose, and the solemn Final Call to Duty.

This meaningful tribute can be included as part of a funeral, memorial, or graveside service, offering families comfort while honoring the professional legacy of their loved one.

About Nurse Honor Guard

The Capital Region Nurses Honor Guard is a group of volunteer nurses dedicated to honoring the service and legacy of colleagues who have passed away.

We serve families throughout Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Columbia, and Greene counties, and often work alongside fellow Honor Guard chapters across New York State. A complete list of chapters can be found through the New York State Nurses Honor Guard.



Our purpose is to recognize the compassion, dedication, and strength that nurses demonstrate throughout their careers. Each tribute is carried out with dignity and respect as a way to express gratitude for a lifetime of caregiving.

A ceremony may include:

• A reading in recognition of the nurse’s life and profession
• The lighting of the Florence Nightingale lamp
• Presentation of a single white rose as a symbol of compassion
• The Final Call to Duty
• This service is available to all nurses and is provided at no cost to families.

Capital Region Nurses Honor Guard- New York State

Nurses Honoring Nurses