Perinatal Loss: Creating memories for bereaved families

This paper explores the current practices of one hospital’s perinatal bereavement program whose approach is based on the conceptualization that memories are key to healing. Fundamentals of the program include a multi-disciplinary approach, staff training, follow up calls, and providing traditional keepsakes such as footprints, a lock of hair, and photographs of the infant.

In addition to the photographs that are traditionally offered by many hospitals, this hospital has also incorporated minor digital editing and the creation of a short, 3-minute video into their existing bereavement program. Though no major changes are made to the photographs, small edits are done to cover areas of skin maceration, especially in instances when death has taken place more than one or two days prior to birth. These small changes can help provide parents and family members with a more comforting final image of their loved one.

With administrative support and the involvement and willingness of staff, the process of integrating memorial videos can easily be achieved by any hospital with or without an existing perinatal bereavement program. The modest amount of time and training required to implement and later maintain this addition to bereavement programs is easily justified when considering the efficacy of such videos as a means to create memories and ultimately promote healing in bereaved families.