Services of remembrance for bereaved parents
Services of remembrance for bereaved parents
There will be two services of remembrance taking place in the Chapel of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) on Sunday 6th November for anyone who has been affected by the loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or in early life. For those who wish to come in the afternoon, there will be activities for children and their parents in the chapel from 3pm. The theme this year is “bubbles” so there will be an opportunity to blow bubbles and decorate a transparent circle with drawings and baby’s name.
The first service will be held at 4.00pm in the Benjamin Gooch Lecture Theatre at the NNUH and is designed for families and suitable for parents to bring young children. There will also be an evening service at 6.00pm in the Chapel which is aimed at adults to engage in a quieter, more reflective service.
Eleanor Langan, Lead Chaplaincy Services said ”Many parents find it helpful to come together with others who have been bereaved to remember their baby. Although these children do not live, they remain part of the family and of that family’s experience. These babies continue to be remembered and loved.”
These services are held in conjunction with the Norwich Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) and the hospital chaplaincy. It is a dedicated time when parents, families and friends can come together for mutual support and comport as they remember the babies that they have lost and there will also be an opportunity for individual acts of remembrance.
After the services the books of remembrance will be on view and there will be a chance to talk with other parents, any of the Chaplains and representatives of SANDS.
Sally Spears of Norwich SANDS said: “As a bereaved parent myself I find that a service of this kind not only recognises that my baby had a life and is still remembered, but also gives me a chance to meet other families who have been in the same situation”.
