Thirteen years ago Chris Novak's life completely changed. A man, high on drugs, smashed into his wife's car killing her and their unborn child.

"Literally the bottom fell out of my life," said Novak. "We had a nine year old son at the time and the hardest thing was telling him his Mom wasn't coming home."

Wednesday night, Novak shared that grief with a crowd that knows the pain. He was the keynote speaker at the annual Crime Victims Ceremony at the Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception in downtown Syracuse. Each person in the church has a story and they're all connected through tragedy.

"You are not supposed to bury your children, it's the unwritten rule," said Dave Corr. "But unfortunately a lot of us in this room have. Hopefully this will raise awareness and stop some of the violence."

Five years ago, Dave and Kathy Corr's son Joseph was murdered in the line of duty. The New Hartford Police Officer was shot and killed after chasing suspects who had just robbed a jewelry store.

At the ceremony, his parents lit a memory candle in his honor.  "You have to remember," said his mother Kathy "That's what we have to hold onto."

Just a few pews away, sits the Valentine family who say they are still taking things one day at a time 3 years after their 18-year-old son wesley was stabbed to death.

"It was very hard, very difficult but we're just putting one foot in front of the other and trying to deal with it," said Father Joe Valentine. "You're kind of looking for something to guide you on a daily basis because its very very difficult."

Novak talked about how families can lean on each other for support and help in the healing process.."There are other people to help you get back on your feet," he said. "You don't have to be trapped in the tragedy."

This week is National Crime Victims Rights Week. There are a number of local services available to help people grieving a tragedy. You can click here to visit the Hope for Bereaved website and find more information.