Month: September 2023

A repurposed wedding dress can become a beautiful infant burial gown for a baby that never made it to its full term. It’s called an angel gown, and it can help comfort grieving parents when nothing else can. The gowns are made from donated dresses, with sizes ranging from those fitting the tiniest preemies to full-term babies that do not survive birth or their time in the hospital, due to complications from prematurity or other reasons. They are offered to hospitals and birthing centers, and sometimes directly to families for free. During her pregnancy, Brandy Williamson of Durham, North Carolina, thought her unborn baby was healthy and strong, so when she started having problems in the second trimester, she didn’t think much of it at first. But one day, a doctor told her that she was suffering from severe placental abruption. It was a devastating diagnosis, and she was given just four days to make memories with her daughter, Karolina. Then she saw an article about a volunteer group in Texas that turns wedding dresses into angel gowns for families who have lost their babies. It inspired her to start a similar project in the Capital Region of New York. “I want to make sure no grieving parent has to look through the lost and found tub at the hospital for something to bury their child in,” she says. “Or have to go out and spend money on a special outfit for their little angel.” Edith Hauer of Darwin, Minnesota, was one of the early volunteers for the Angel Gowns Project, now with more than 500 seamstresses across the country who work to create the final outfits for infants who do not survive birth or their time in the NICU. Each gown is handmade and comes with a knitted hat and blanket, a keepsake charm in the shape of a heart or cross and a Bible verse. It is designed so the baby can be dressed, wrapped and buried in it. Each dress that is donated can become about 10 little angel gowns. For many, it takes a lot of courage to donate a wedding dress. But the reward of knowing that a dress will be transformed into a tiny garment for an angel baby is worth it. If you would like to donate a wedding dress or other satin fabric, you can do so through the website for the Capital Region of New York at angelgowns.org. The seamstresses also need white and ivory thread, white and ivory 1/4-inch fabric ribbon and tiny white and ivory pearl buttons. Other supplies they need include Tide PODS, OxiClean laundry spray and Ziploc bags in one to two gallon sizes. The organization also accepts monetary donations. Donors can sponsor a dress for a seamstress who can’t afford to pay for the materials she needs to make the gowns. They can also donate wedding dresses they no longer wear or a gift card for a local bridal store.

While there is nothing to take away the pain of losing a child, there are steps that can be taken to help the grieving process. One of those is planning a funeral that will be meaningful to family and friends and that will reflect the light that child brought to the world. The first step in planning a child funeral is to educate your children about what happens at a funeral service. This is important because it will give them the opportunity to make an informed decision about whether they would like to attend a funeral service or not. It is also helpful because it will help them understand and accept the death of their loved one. You may find it best to explain that a funeral is a time for people to pay their respects to the person who has died and to say goodbye. You can also teach your children about caskets and urns, so they will not be shocked or scared when they see their sibling’s body at a visitation or in the casket at the funeral service. If you decide to have an open casket, it is important to help your children understand that their loved one’s body will be cool to the touch and that they can pay their respects by touching them. If you are going to have cremation, it is also important to teach your children that their loved one will not be hurt or feel anything during the cremation process. In addition to explaining what will happen at the funeral, you can also prepare your children in advance by reading them stories about grief and loss. You can read them books about losing a parent or sibling, or you can choose songs that were special to your child or are meaningful to the family. You can even ask a relative or friend to read a tribute, poem or letter on your child’s behalf during the service. It is also important to help your children understand that everyone will be feeling different emotions at the funeral. You can do this by telling them that adults may cry, laugh or be quiet during the service. You can also show them how to express their feelings by letting them see you do it during your own moments of sadness. During the funeral service, it can be helpful to have someone designated as your child’s “funeral buddy.” This is a trusted and familiar friend who will be willing to take your child outside or into a hallway for breaks if needed during the services. This will allow you to fully attend the services, knowing that your child is being cared for by a familiar and trusted adult. Although you will want to make every effort to keep your child with you, there are times when it may be necessary to leave them. This is especially true if you are planning to view the body or make a speech during the services.

Newborn babies have very sensitive skin and it’s important that the clothes they wear are soft. They also need to be comfortable and able to move freely. Rough or silky tuff fabrics will irritate and scratch their skin, causing discomfort. A good choice of clothing for newborns is cotton dresses. The cotton fabric is gentle on the skin and has great absorbent properties. The baby dresses are designed to be comfortable for the little one, with features such as fold over scratch mitts on the sleeves to prevent them from accidentally scratching themselves. These feature are especially useful for babies who are exploring their surroundings. Cotton is a naturally occurring, renewable fibre that has a number of benefits. It is hypoallergenic which means that it doesn’t irritate the baby’s skin or cause allergies, as well as being a natural moisture absorbent which helps to keep the baby dry. Cotton is also strong, making it durable, and resistant to pilling and shrinkage which is great for a baby’s growing body. Babies can be messy, what with dribbles, milk spills and even nappy blowouts, so it’s vital that the clothes they wear are able to hold up to frequent washing. Cotton is a great choice for this as it’s easy to wash and dries quickly. It’s also a good idea to get clothes in a variety of colours and patterns, as they can easily be mixed and matched with different accessories. Changing your newborn’s diaper will happen frequently, so you want to ensure that the garments they are wearing are easy to remove for quick changes. A good option is a bodysuit, which is typically one piece of clothing and includes the top half of a dress with a romper under section. This can be easily unzipped for nappy changing and is usually fastened with snaps. Another good option for keeping your newborn warm are pyjamas, which consist of two pieces and come with either short or long sleeves and legs. They can be worn any time of the day and are a good alternative to a sleepsuit. Some pyjamas also have features such as full leg and back openings, or fold over scratch mitts on the sleeves, to help protect young babies from accidentally scratching themselves whilst asleep. Cardis and jumpers are a great addition to any outfit, as they can be used to tone down a busy pattern or lift an ensemble with a bright pop of colour. They are also a useful layering piece to have on hand in the cooler months. Snowsuits and puddlesuits are cosy outerwear all in ones that are worn over day clothes to keep your little one warm. They have features such as detachable booties and fold over mittens to prevent their hands from getting cold.

Choosing attire for your loved one’s final journey is an important task that requires consideration of several different factors. These include the deceased’s final wishes, their cultural background, religious beliefs, and personal style. It is also important to consider the method of their burial. While the process of selecting burial outfits may seem like an overwhelming task, it can be a meaningful experience that allows families to honor their loved ones. It is customary to dress the deceased in clothes that are consistent with their style, culture and religion. For example, men are typically dressed in suits and ties, while women are often draped in dresses and skirts. However, these clothing choices can be adjusted to align with your loved one’s specific preferences and values. For instance, if your loved one was a member of a particular sports team or organization, you may wish to have them buried in their uniform. Similarly, you might choose to have your loved one laid to rest in a favorite sweater or t-shirt that holds a sentimental value. Most funeral homes can provide a special garment for your loved one to be dressed in upon their passing. These garments are usually designed to resemble smart night gowns or pyjamas. They are made from natural fibres and are environmentally friendly. They also decompose at a faster rate than synthetic fabrics, which is important in order to prevent the spread of diseases. Despite the fact that the garments are available for purchase, many people prefer to use their own clothes to be buried in. This is a very private choice and can be very healing for families. It can also be cheaper than buying a garment from the funeral home. When considering what your loved one would like to be buried in, consider their daily life. Did they always wear certain colors? What were their hobbies and interests? For instance, if your loved one was an avid sports fan, you might want to have them dressed in their favorite jersey or a baseball cap. If they were a veteran, you could choose to dress them in their military uniform. You might also consider the weather and your loved one’s final destination when choosing burial apparel. Most of the time, funeral services and burials take place in cemeteries, which are often open to the elements. Hence, proper footwear is key. You should avoid wearing slim heels as you will have to walk over grass and around headstones, which can be bumpy or uneven. It is also important to take into account your loved one’s religion and any funeral rituals they might have. For example, some religious groups have strict rules about burial attire and hairstyles. Moreover, some cultures have unique methods of preparing the body for a burial. In such cases, you should consult with religious leaders or clergy to ensure that you are complying with their wishes. Moreover, some faith traditions require that the body be covered with a cloth shroud before being interred.