Families invited to special remembrance service

Families invited to special remembrance service commemorating Rochdale babies

Families who have faced either stillbirth or losing their babies shortly after birth are being invited to a special service of remembrance at Dearnley Methodist Church on Thursday 3 March.

The service include prayers, poems, hymns and the lighting of candles in remembrance, with a chance to remember all the babies by name that have died.

The idea for the service originally came from midwife Linda Smith, and was developed with the help of chaplain Rev Bernice Woodhead.

Rev Woodhead said: “Within society today, stillbirth and neo-natal deaths are certainly still very much sensitive subjects. The remembrance service will offer Rochdale families a chance to come together and remember their babies in a sympathetic and understanding environment. Everyone is welcome to attend and people can light a candle in remembrance of the baby they have lost.”

The Pennine Acute Hospital Trust’s chaplaincy co-ordinator, Rev John Hall, said: “This occasion continues to offer a valuable place for people to gather who have been through the loss of a baby and to have a dedicated time to remember that loss. We are very grateful to Bernice for enabling this to happen within the Rochdale community in partnership with local faith leaders and members of the Pennine Acute Trust spiritual care team.”

The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) offers support for families who have faced stillbirth or neo-natal deaths:

www.uk-sands.org

For further information about the service, contact Rev Bernice Woodhead on 01706 379517.