Loved and Lost Babies remembrance service at Glangwili Hospital

The annual Loved and Lost Babies remembrance service, for members of the community of any or no faith, will be held at Glangwili Hospital Chapel on Saturday 26th March, 2016 at 12 noon.
People living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and further afield, whose lives have been touched by the loss of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth, are invited to attend the service.
The service is being organised by the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Neonatal Team and Chaplaincy Department as a tribute to the babies who have died, and to their parents, entire family circle and friends.
The service will offer meditative reflection, music and both religious and non-religious readings, with an opportunity to place personal messages in the book of remembrance and on a message tree. There will be light refreshments served after the service.
Those who attend will be able to speak with and gain support from bereavement professionals as well as providing an opportunity for parents and families to meet with others who have also lost a baby.
Euryl Howells, Senior Chaplain for the University Health Board said: “A memorial service can be a real source of comfort to families, including those whose babies died many years ago. Having somewhere where they can remember and acknowledge their baby or babies can be very important.
“The service has always been well attended in the past by parents, families and friends from the whole area of the Hywel Dda, as well as by hospital staff. Everyone will be made feel most welcome.
“We invite you to join us at this very special event. It is a quiet, gentle time to reflect on your feelings and experiences. It can be healing and warming to see the faces of supportive people at this event, in a respectful space, with parents, friends and family members who share similar memories.”
A parent who attended last year’s service commented: “I have been attending this event for many years now, and I meet with parents who return year after year.
“There have been friendships that were founded on sharing such occasions. It is comforting to see familiar faces, but I always want to offer a welcome to parents for who may be attending for the first time, so that they know that they belong to that ‘special family’.”
If you are unable to attend the service and wish to commemorate your loved one or your own grief, or you require further information please contact Euryl on 01267 227563 or euryl.howells2@wales.nhs.uk