The Littlest Life: Exploring the role of nurse-generated remembrance videos in perinatal bereavement programs

This paper explores the innovative practices of one hospital’s perinatal bereavement program whose foundation is creating memories for bereaved families. Nurse-generated remembrance (memorial) videos are an integral part of this innovative program and have become the standard of  care within our program.
Other aspects of the program include a multi-disciplinary approach, staff sensitivity training, patient follow up calls, and providing traditional keepsakes such as footprints, a lock of hair, infant clothing, and other memorabilia. Bereavement photography—as opposed to simple picture taking—is also an integral part of our program and has contributed greatly to its success.
Because a relationship of empathy, support, and trust has already been established between the patient and the labor and delivery nurse, nurses are easily and effectively able to integrate bereavement photography and remembrance videos into their bereavement care. These services are provided free of charge to all families experiencing the loss of an infant before or shortly after birth and has been very well received by patients.
Responses to the videos will be explored including those from patients, family members, nurses, administration, and physicians. With administrative support and the involvement of staff, the process of integrating remembrance 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 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.