Angel gowns are a wonderful way to commemorate a loved one’s life. Donated to hospitals, bereavement groups, and funeral homes, they are worn by newborns, smaller infants, and even older children during their last moments on earth. The kits include a special gown, two hats, a heart, and a collection of trinkets, such as a photo frame. They can be used during a baby’s memorial service or at his or her first moments.
Many parents, however, find these gowns helpful during the time when they are grieving for their unborn child. Parents may need to prepare for the end of life, which may include medical intervention to terminate the pregnancy. Angel gowns are custom made, which means that even small infants can wear one. Because each gown is unique, it can help a family grieve the loss of a baby while honoring the life of their angel.
Some of the organizations accept donated wedding dresses. There are several angel gown ministries, including the Sunshine State Angel Gowns in Florida. With a $100 donation, you can follow the gown’s journey through a developing country and meet the seamstress. You can also choose to donate all of your gowns to an angel gown ministry, or keep some for your family to donate in the U.S., depending on your preference. The gowns are also delivered to hospitals with a prayer card and a keepsake angel.
In order to ensure that all families are given a beautiful handmade garment, the Angel Gown Project collects old wedding dresses from the general population. Volunteers then sew them into gowns for babies who never make it home. The Angel Gown Program also needs help paying for shipping. Last year, they spent $35,000 to ship the gowns. The nonprofit also has a team of volunteers that help in making the gowns. They are looking for ways to raise awareness about infant loss and the need for loving and compassionate support.
One such project is Project NICU Helping Hands, which operates internationally and trains indigenous women to make dresses for newborns. These women often live in poverty, so the program is a great way to help these women make money. It also teaches them valuable skills. Through these programs, the organization hopes to create similar programs in other countries. And this work does not stop there. While it started small, it has grown to become a very important part of hospitals’ efforts to give families the emotional and practical support they need.