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 /Quiet Room on Saturday 31st March, 2018 at 12 noon.
The service has been organised by the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Neonatal Team and Chaplaincy Department for parents, siblings, other family members and friends to attend.
The loss may be recent or many years ago and irrespective of whether the loss was in this catchment area, all are welcome. The service will offer music, readings, reflections, songs and prayers, with an opportunity to place personal messages on a message tree, and there will be a final collective act to remember each baby away from the Quiet Room / Chapel.
There will be light refreshments served after the service and this will offer an opportunity to meet with the staff in attendance. Euryl Howells, Senior Chaplain for the University Health Board said: “Once again through this service we are hoping to help families who grieve the death of a child often leaving them feeling isolated and lonely in their bereavement loss.
“The loss of a pregnancy or death of a baby is truly devastating and I believe possibly the toughest loss imaginable. Grief can be so intense and people can feel very lonely.
“Over the years this annual service is one way to help with this grief journey. The chaplaincy department and the midwifery and special care staff recognise the need to give people who have lost a child a chance to remember their babies with others who have been through similar, painful situations.”
A parent who has attended previous services in honour of her little boy said: “The last thing that expectant and new parents dream of is saying goodbye to their precious baby.
“I really like coming to the service as it is a place where you don’t need to explain to anyone what you’ve been through because everyone has been through it themselves. Y
ou don’t need to apologise for being sad, you can simply talk and listen and keep the memory of your child alive with other people who want to do the same.”
If you are unable to attend the service and wish to commemorate your loved one or your own grief, or if you require further information please contact Euryl on 01267 227563 or euryl.howells2@wales.nhs.uk
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