MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Deep Fork Nursing Honor Guard of Oklahoma is a nonprofit group of retired and currently working nurses who volunteer their time to honor nurses who have passed away. The volunteers pay tribute at funeral or memorial services, at no charge to families. They do service areas around certain locations.
The National Nurse Honor Guard Coalition was founded in 2011 by Julia Murray. Murray also designed the capes used during the tributes.
“The purpose of our honor guard is to recognize and honor nurses at their funeral or memorial service with a meaningful ‘final call to duty.’ This tribute acknowledges the compassion, dedication, and lifelong service nurses give to others,” stated the Muscogee Nation Department of Health Public Health Registered Nurse (RN) Talia King (Mvskoke).
To join this chapter, you have to be an active or retired Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), RN, or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). The Deep Fork Chapter primarily covers Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Creek, Hughes, and McIntosh counties. However, they assist in surrounding areas when available.
King said that there are other chapters throughout Oklahoma and the United States, but some areas are still developing.
“Our goal is to eventually have chapters statewide, so every nurse has access to this honor in Oklahoma. If a nurse lives in an area without a chapter, we can help connect them with resources to get one started,” King said.
The volunteers will need to be available to assist during tributes. King mentioned that they understand not everyone can attend every funeral and that being in the chapter is for volunteers. However, that is why it is important to have members from all areas, so that at least one nurse is present when needed.
For the services, there will be a Nightingale Tribute. This tribute includes the Honor Guard, a reading of the nurse’s career, a presentation of a white rose, a Nightingale Lamp tribute, and a final call to duty.
“During the ceremony, the tribute begins with a brief introduction about the nurse, followed by the reading of the Nightingale Tribute, which formally releases the nurse from their duties. We also light a lamp that remains lit until the final call. A rose is presented to the nurse or their family members as a symbol of honor and service along with the lamp following the tribute,” King said.
Their standard attire is white scrubs, white shoes, and a white nurse cap. King says that blue capes will be available for purchase, but they do not want the cost to be a barrier to participation. She says those can be purchased later.
Currently, King is a Public Health Nurse; her duties include caring for individuals and families throughout their lifespans. In her 21 years of nursing, she has worked in a wide range of areas, including long-term care, clinical settings, the emergency room, labor and delivery, and home health.
“Nursing, to me, is more than just a profession- it’s a calling. It’s about compassion, advocacy, and being there for people during some of the most important moments of their lives. It means showing up, making a difference, and caring for others with dignity and respect,” King said.
King has seen the duties and responsibilities nurses face, which they carry throughout their careers, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
“Whenever I saw my first nurse tribute, it really stood out to me how meaningful it was for both the family and the nursing community. Nurses dedicate their lives to caring for others, and I felt there should be something in place in our area to recognize that service at the end of life. That experience helped me realize the importance of bringing a Nursing Honor Guard to our area,” King said.
King feels it is an honor to bring this to the nursing community.
“Being able to give back to nurses in this way is very meaningful. Seeing families appreciate the tribute and knowing we are recognizing a nurse’s lifelong dedication is something that makes all the effort worth it. It brings a strong sense of pride and unity to the nursing community,” King said.
King hopes to continue growing and welcoming any nurse interested in being part of the Honor Guard. Their goal is to ensure that every nurse has the opportunity to be honored for their service, no matter where they are. She says this is about respecting, recognizing, and honoring their legacy.
The Deep Fork Nursing Honor Guard of Oklahoma is also accepting donations or purchasing items that are needed for the tributes. Donations will specifically go towards lamps, flowers, ribbons, and any other items used during the tribute because they do these tributes at no cost to the families.
For information about the Deep Fork Nursing Honor Guard of Oklahoma, email them at deepforknursehonorguard@gmail.com
