There is nothing so cruel as the death of a child. It simply goes against all nature. For years, the death of a baby was so painful, so distressing, and so difficult to talk about that the world chose to cross the street to avoid saying anything. And so the parents suffered alone, trapped in their sense of desolation.
Baby Loss Awareness Week is an annual campaign in October which aims to raise the profile of pregnancy and infant loss and to give support to grieving families, offering a safe space and a message that they are not alone – there are others that share your pain and there is help available whenever you need it, no matter how recent or longstanding your loss.
It is a time when families can take time to remember the lives of their babies and lost pregnancies and share memories of the all-too-brief time together. The week also shines a light on the need to continue the work needed to improve pregnancy outcomes and save babies’ lives.
About the Campaign
Running between 9th and 15th October, each year sees events, including ribbon displays and sponsored walks and runs, taking place across the country to raise awareness of the campaign and its messages of hope, as well as funds for charities including Sands – the UK’s leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity and producer of the campaign, The Lullaby Trust and other local providers.
The week ends with the global “Wave of Light”, at 7pm on 15th October, when people are invited to light candles in memory of babies who have died too soon. Those that wish to can join the virtual Wave of Light, sharing a photo of their candle on social media with the hashtag #WaveofLight.
This year we are collaborating with Maria Gormley, who runs the local Clacton-on-Sea Sands group, on a Baby Loss Awareness Week remembrance display in our Stanway branch of Hunnaball Family Funeral Group, where the window will also be lit up in pink and blue. Anyone that wishes to have the name of a lost little one on a heart or ribbon to be added to the display are welcome to get in touch; our team will be on hand to listen, talk, or offer a quiet moment of reflection if you need it.
The windows of our Witham branch will also be decorated, in association with Little Wings of Hope; if you wish to add a memorial to the display, please do simply pop in and speak to the team.
Search for other local Baby Loss Awareness events, both online and in person across the country, here: https://babyloss-awareness.org/events
Supporting Parents All Year Round
Baby Loss Awareness Week is a campaign so close to our hearts; as funeral directors, we understand only too well how unbearable the pain can be when you lose someone, especially a baby or a child. All year round, we see and feel the impact of their loss on their family and do everything we can to ease the pain and bring some small comfort where we can.
Parents may feel overwhelmed by the decisions they have to make, especially at a time of such sorrow. Instead of thinking about their baby’s future, they find themselves having to plan their funeral while all the time engulfed by grief. Our compassionate team will guide parents through the necessary formalities and arrangements, offer information about the choices available as well as give advice on the practicalities of what must be done. We can help with suggestions of music as well as a choice of beautiful readings and poems which are suitable for children’s funerals.
As well as taking care of the planning process, we are also here to offer what comfort we can in this most difficult of times. Every little one that comes into our care will be accompanied by a small hand knitted teddy bear*, ensuring that they are never alone on their final journey and have company beside them during any moments spent away from their family.
Many grieving parents can also find some comfort in spending time reading to their little one in the Chapel of Rest, a quiet moment of connection and peace and a small moment of normality, talking quietly to their child as you would in life. Our dedicated team* provide a small basket of children’s books for families to select from, to offer words to speak aloud when it can be impossible to know what to say.
When the day comes for your little one’s final journey, our sensitive and caring funeral directors will be there to make sure your wishes are carried out with dignity and will provide calm reassurance and quiet strength to help the family cope with the ceremony.
We also understand grief does not end on the day of the funeral, and in the days and months afterwards we will continue to support you however we can through your bereavement.
If you’re struggling following the loss of a child or young person, we are here to help with practical advice and resources (including our ‘Your Precious Child’ leaflet), and so much more. Please do visit the compassionate team in your local branch or reach out on 01206 760049.
*We are very grateful to our team members, Stacy Sheppard who arranges the provision of our book baskets, and Tania O’Keefe who hand knits our teddy bears. If you would like to support their endeavours with donations of children’s books or wool of any colour, they would be gratefully received – please do drop them off to your local branch.
