Families received small stones with words of inspiration at the service.

Earlier this month, more than 125 people gathered in Cabot Atrium for the 12th Connors Center for Women and Newborns (CWN) Service of Remembrance. The service supports families who have experienced the loss of a baby during or after pregnancy and honors the babies who have passed away.

For many years, the CWN Bereavement Committee—a multidisciplinary group consisting of Social Work, Nursing, Spiritual Care Services and physicians—provides compassionate care to families who experience these tender losses. The committee hosts the service, with families and BWH staff gathering to share personal stories and support.

Social worker Claire Welch, MSW, LICSW, of BWH Care Coordination, has attended every service to date, and said it is comforting to reconnect with parents in remembering their babies.

“It’s an honor to be part of a family’s life during this unique loss,” she said. “Some families have made this an annual remembrance of their babies. It is meaningful to all of the staff attending to have been a part of their experience.”

The parents, siblings and other family members who attended this year’s service received forget-me-not flower seed packets and small stones engraved with the words “love,” “hope” and “cherish.” Children received donated toys. Attendees were also given an interdenominational prayer book created by Rev. Katarina Bergh, MDiv, of Spiritual Care Services.

During a poignant part of the ceremony, families placed a star with their child’s name on a felt board depicting a night sky, which BWH Engineering created and donated two years ago. In addition to music provided by harpist Nancy Kleiman, parents were welcomed to the podium to speak about their personal experiences.

BWH Food Services, Audiovisual, VPNE and other departments and teams also helped to make the service possible.