University Hospital Galway will host a special ceremony of remembrance for all babies who have died during pregnancy or after birth this week.
The ceremony will take place next Sunday, and is open to all families who have experienced loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and infant loss.
International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day takes place each year on October 15, and the day will end at UHG with a candle lighting ceremony.
Helen Byrnes, Bereavement Support Midwife at University Hospital Galway said, “We are delighted to once again be able to hold a ceremony in the hospital and invite families to attend in person.”
“The remembrance ceremony aims to recognise, acknowledge and remember all pregnancy and infant losses. It will include poetry, readings and a choir will join us.”.
“The evening will finish with the candle lighting at 7pm as part of a continuous wave of light around the world in honour of babies who have died through miscarriage, stillbirth or in the neonatal period, to let the families know that they are not alone.”
“Afterwards we will have light refreshments which will be an opportunity for bereaved families to come together as a support for each other to talk and share their experiences.”
The gable end of the Nurse’s Home will be bathed in blue and pink light for the event, which is run in association with Féileacáin, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland.
The ceremony of remembrance will be held at the UHG hospital canteen next Sunday, October 15 at 6pm.
For those who wish to take part, but are unable to attend in person, the ceremony will also be available to view online via zoom at https://zoom.us/j/96771487470.
