Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Sunday 2017
Why a bouquet of yellow roses?
Do we have to use yellow roses?
Why should we have people come up after the service instead of during it?
How many flowers should we have?
Is this event associated with Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?
What else can our church do to support families dealing with pregnancy loss and early infant death?
- A yellow rose was the symbol our hospital used to show that a family had lost a baby. By taping a yellow rose to the patient's door, all entering would know to be sensitive and not to ask hurtful questions or make awkward comments. It has come to symbolize not only a loss, but also hope for the future, and it is a gender "neutral" color, making it appropriate to symbolize early losses where a gender is not known.
Do we have to use yellow roses?
- No, any kind of flower will work that will hold up to being chosen out of a bouquet and carried home, but we think it would be nice to have a consistent symbol. Do plan for this in advance!! Supermarkets and florists do not carry an abundance of yellow roses in the fall without special ordering. If you wait until the last minute, you may have trouble finding what you need.
Why should we have people come up after the service instead of during it?
- For many people, pregnancy loss is an incredibly private grief. Allowing people to come forward after the service and NOT during it makes it possible for them to accept this gift without calling attention to themselves.
How many flowers should we have?
- We recommend no fewer than a dozen, and then go up from there. Do not be discouraged if all of the flowers are not taken. There will be many who do not take a flower, but are touched deeply by the gesture.
Is this event associated with Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?
- It is not sponsored by the October 15th organization, but they encourage individuals and organizations to plan events in conjunction with this date. For more information about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, see the website www.october15th.com.
What else can our church do to support families dealing with pregnancy loss and early infant death?
- Look at the church resources on this website to begin with, and incorporate a pregnancy loss branch into the Bereavement Ministry of your church. Perhaps you will never need it - but if you do, you will have a ministry in place to guide your actions. If you would like help establishing such a ministry in your church, contact us at [email protected].