Author: angelgownsbydiane

Almost every minute in the USA, there is a baby born through still birth or miscarriage. For families that are going through this heartbreaking experience, having a beautiful burial gown can make it easier to say goodbye. That is why the volunteers of Angel Gowns of WNY make these one-of-a-kind gowns for newborn babies that will never leave their mothers’ arms. These loving seamstresses take wedding dresses that would never see the light of day on a bride, and turn them into tiny angel gowns. Each one is hand-sewn and made with love. They can get up to 18 unique tiny angel gowns and wraps out of a single wedding dress. These kits are then donated to local hospitals, bereavement groups and funeral homes so that families can have a beautiful memory of their precious little angel. Angel Gowns of WNY was started in April 2014 by Missy Ray. Her vision was to form a non-profit organization that gives back to her community. In September, 2014, they received their 501-(c) (3) non-profit incorporation. The first dress to be turned into an angel gown was donated by a woman who had lost her own daughter. She knew the significance of having a beautiful burial outfit for her baby, and wanted to help other grieving parents who needed it. Since then, she has had the support of many others who want to do the same thing. Mangiaracina says that she has received donations of wedding dresses from all over the country. She now has more than 60 angel gowns on her sewing machine at any given time. She supplies them to hospitals in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, as well as to hospitals across the country, including Oregon, Washington, Texas, and four other states. For more information about how you can donate a wedding dress to this wonderful project, please visit their website. They also need sewing supplies like pinking shears, fabric scissors, thread, bobby pins, ribbon and lace. They even accept men’s ties, which they use to make tiny angel bow ties for the little boys who receive these gowns. In addition to helping our tiniest patients, PVHMC is proud to partner with this group of dedicated volunteers and their work to provide comfort and beauty for these grieving families. They are a true blessing. Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a comprehensive healthcare system providing a high standard of care for newborns and infants, as well as women, men, children, adolescents and seniors in the communities it serves. PVHMC’s state-of-the-art Level III NICU has 53 beds and is equipped to treat sick or premature infants from surrounding communities. Its team of physicians and nurses is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for our babies and their families. They offer compassionate care, a warm and healing environment and access to cutting edge therapies and innovative services.

Children are not small adults and they do not need to be excluded from family funerals. In fact, excluding them can delay their grieving and hinder their ability to cope with death and loss later in life. Excluding them can also send the message that the person who died is not important. Children want to be valued and have a say in their lives, including the funeral service. Involving a child in a funeral service depends on the child’s age, worldview, and relationship to the deceased, and should be tailored to their comfort level. Children can be involved in planning and participating in a funeral or memorial service through selecting music for the ceremony, choosing photographs for a memorial table or photo board, writing a letter or poem to read or place in the casket or urn, or picking out an item of personal significance to be placed on the casket or urn. They can be included in a prayer or reading, on the video tribute, and can participate in a memorial service with their loved ones. If your child will be attending a funeral or memorial service for a sibling, it is helpful to take them beforehand to the funeral home or cemetery to show them where things are and what they can expect. It is a chance for them to ask questions and become comfortable with the situation. It may be hard for parents to answer their questions, as they are likely to be deeply involved in the ritual themselves. Explain what they will see and try to be as honest as possible. If they will be seeing their sibling in a casket, it is crucial to reassure them that the body does not feel cold, pain or fear. It is also important to talk with them about the burial process and any questions they may have. It is a good idea to have a point person for each child at the funeral or memorial service who can attend solely to their needs. This could be a trusted family friend or even a member of the clergy. This person can be there to answer any questions, offer support and reassurance, and be available for a quiet break if necessary. It is also a good idea to bring along some toys, books or a favourite item for the child in case they are fidgety or restless. It is a good idea to have bottled water, snacks and drinks on hand, as these can be helpful when the child gets thirsty or hungry. Finally, a bag with items to take outside for a walk, a snack or something to play with, if the weather permits, is useful. As a parent, you can also give your child permission to leave the service at any time if they are feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable. This will empower them to feel empowered and in control of their own emotions. It is also a good idea to offer a range of ways for the child to express their grief, such as art, writing or playing a game.

A baby’s first outfit should be something soft and snuggly. Choose jumpsuits that fasten at the front, or ones with envelope necks that easily go over baby’s head. You’ll also want a few pairs of stretchy leggings for warmth in winter, and light summer clothing for warmer weather. Look for clothes with a low fire hazard label, and avoid those with beading, threads, ties and attachments that pose choking or strangulation risks. The maternity clothes market is an important part of the baby clothing industry, and there are lots of options out there. You can find onesies with cute sayings, or opt for gender-neutral options like stripes and polka dots. Then there are the newborn essentials, like sleepers and footie PJs. When choosing baby clothing, parents should take into consideration their budget and the sex of their new addition. They may also be concerned about the environmental impact of their choice. Some parents prefer natural fibers like cotton, which is breathable and gentle on delicate newborn skin. Others may prefer synthetic fibers, which are more durable and easy to wash. In addition, some parents may prefer gender-specific colors, such as pink and blue, due to preestablished stereotypes that associate certain colors with girls and boys. Newborns need plenty of layers, especially in the cold. Add a soft sweater over onesie and tee to keep them warm without being too bulky. Look for cross-body snaps that won’t dig into the healing belly button, and fold-over mitts to prevent babies from scratching themselves. Another option is a bodysuit, which is a one-piece garment that covers the torso and has snap closures at the crotch. It’s a convenient way to dress a baby and allows for quick diaper changes. Many parents find bodysuits especially useful when their newborns are spending time at home and don’t need the extra coverage of pants. For babies who need to be out and about, footie PJs are an excellent choice. They’re cozy and comfortable, and they make it easier to get baby dressed in the morning. They’re available in both long- and short-sleeved styles, and they usually have a pocket on the back for storing snacks or toys. Lastly, many new parents prefer to buy a few special occasion outfits for babies to wear home from the hospital or to meet family and friends. These can be as simple as a newborn onesie and tee or more complex, such as a dress or skirt and skort. As the global economy recovers, the demand for premium and designer kids’ apparel is expected to increase. This trend will drive the growth of the baby clothing industry, as parents are willing to spend more money on clothes for their children if they’re made from quality materials. Furthermore, the rising trend of gifting breathable and skin-friendly clothes during baby showers and birthday celebrations will also boost the market growth.

Di dalam dunia judi, khususnya lotere, mendapatkan data yg akurat dan dapat diandalkan merupakan rahasia untuk mendapatkan kemenangan. Salah satu yg terpopuler diminati ialah data SDY, yg mencakup hasil produksi dan transaksi dari togel Sidney. Untuk para pemain, memakai informasi tersebut dapat jadilah kesempatan emas dalam menambah kemungkinan mereka untuk meraih reward. Melalui akses langsung ke siaran langsung draw SDY serta informasi terkini tentang lotere hari ini, sejumlah pecinta lotere dapat mengambil pilihan yg lebih baik informasi serta strategis. Seiring kemajuan teknis, saat ini kita semua bisa melihat siaran langsung keluaran SDY dengan real-time. Ini menyediakan kenyamanan serta pembaruan waktu nyata yg amat krusial untuk mereka yg rajih bermain lotere SDY. Apakah kamu adalah petaruh pemula atau pun sudah berpengalaman, mengenal data SDY pada hari ini serta mengikuti perkembangan yang terbaru sangat penting dalam memaksimalkan peluang yang ada. Ayo kita eksplorasi lebih dalam mengenai bagaimana data SDY bisa menjadi alat bantu yang bermanfaat dalam mendapatkan kesuksesan dalam dunia lotere. Analisis Data Sidney Analisis data SDY adalah fase krusial dalam dunia lotre, terutama bagi para pemain saat mendambakan menambah kesempatan dirinya. Dengan cara memeriksa keluaran Sidney secara berkala, pemain dapat menemukan corak serta tren yang mungkin terjadi. Keluaran Sidney yang dicatat serta dianalisis meliputi nomor-nomor yang muncul pada tiap draw, memberi wawasan berharga untuk pemain agar mengambil keputusan yang lebih informasi. Keluaran SDY Di samping itu hasil SDY yang diadakan secara terbuka serta langsung memberi keyakinan pada pemain sehingga tiap output yang dijelaskan merupakan sah. Live draw Sidney menjadi moment yang dinanti-nanti, tempat pemain dapat menyaksikan secara langsung output undian. Dengan menggunakan live keluaran Sidney ini pemain sanggup lebih cepat menanggapi dan merumuskan taktik berdasarkan hasil terbaru. Memanfaatkan informasi Sidney dengan efektif pun memerlukan pemahaman mengenai bagaimana togel Sidney bekerja. Setiap game lotre memiliki karakteristik khusus yang dapat memengaruhi nomor yang muncul. Melalui memahami karakteristik lotre sdy dan menganalisis sdy sekarang, pemain sanggup lebih cermat dalam menentukan angka yang akan dipasang, sehingga meningkatkan kesempatan kemenangan di setiap peluang. Keluaran dan Pengeluaran Togel Keluaran togel merupakan data penting yang dicari oleh pemain togel. Keluaran ini mencakup angka-angka yang ditarik setiap harinya, dan pemain sering menganalisis data ini untuk menemukan pola atau peluang emas. Dengan mengetahui hasil sdy, pemain dapat membuat pilihan yang lebih cerdas ketika bertaruh, meningkatkan kemungkinan mereka untuk mengantongi hadiah. Pengeluaran sdy tidak hanya tersedia dalam format angka, tetapi juga dapat dilihat secara real-time melalui undian langsung sdy. Ini memungkinkan pemain untuk melihat hasilnya secara langsung, memberikan pengalaman unik saat nomor ditarik. Kepesatan dan ketepatan dalam mengikuti hasil togel sangat penting untuk memastikan bahwa pemain selalu mendapatkan informasi terbaru dan akurad. Bagi para penggemar togel sidney, mengikuti data sdy dan keluaran sdy setiap hari menjadi kegiatan yang menarik. Dengan mengumpulkan dan menganalisis informasi ini, mereka dapat menggali kesempatan baru untuk mendapatkan kemenangan. Jadi, pastikan untuk selalu mengupdate dengan result live sdy dan togel pada hari ini untuk memaksimalkan kesempatan Anda. Tips Mengeksploitasi Live Draw SDY Untuk memaksimalkan live draw SDY, penting untuk selalu melihat jadwal pengeluaran yang sudah di jadwal tertentu. Biasanya, live draw dijalankan dalam rutin, dan mengetahui dengan pasti waktu pastinya dapat membantu Anda mempersiapkan diri sebelum acara terjadi. Anda dapat mencatat tanggal dan jam pasti saat live draw dilakukan agar tidak ketinggalan informasi penting dalam mencari peluang kemenangan. Selanjutnya, pastikan Anda mengamati pola keluaran sdy dari masa lalu. Dengan menganalisis data sdy yang tersedia, Anda dapat menganalisis dan meneliti angka-angka yang cenderung muncul lebih sering. Hal ini memungkinkan Anda keunggulan saat memilih angka yang hendak dimainkan pada togel sidney. Memanfaatkan statistik dan data yang ada bisa meningkatkan dalam meningkatkan peluang Anda untuk menang. Yang terakhir, jangan lupa untuk selalu mengecek live keluaran sdy secara langsung. Banyak platform yang menyediakan live draw, dan saat melihat langsung, Anda dapat mengakses informasi terbaru secepatnya. Ini juga membuat Anda lebih yakin dalam mengambil keputusan berdasarkan hasil yang nyata dan tepat. Jangan remehkan kesempatan untuk menggunakan semua informasi yang ada untuk meraih emas di togel hari ini.

When someone dies, they are often laid to rest in clothing that is both personal and meaningful. While the final visual of a loved one can be a bittersweet experience for survivors, the attire can help preserve a memory and reflect their lifelong style and personality. Choosing burial clothes requires careful thought and attention to detail, especially since the clothing is likely to remain in a rigid state for quite some time after death. The first thing to consider when selecting clothing for a loved one is their own personal style. Think about the types of clothes they wore, including favourite outfits, colours and patterns. It is also important to remember that some religious practices may have specific dress requirements, so it is best to check with your faith leader or family members before choosing attire. For men, a suit is traditionally worn and for women, a funeral dress or gown is usually worn. While the traditional attire can be very humbling, recent funeral trends have been moving away from the more formal look and towards more personalization, such as adding a special touch like a favorite ribbon or pin. It is also common to add personal items, such as a favourite book or even a wedding ring. This can be done by pinning them to the fabric or by using an adhesive like Scotch tape. While it is possible to buy clothing for a loved one from a funeral home, it can be more personal and affordable to make your own. Most sewing supplies can be found in the home and with a little guidance, you can make a beautiful garment that will allow your loved ones to rest with dignity. Typically, the outer garment is made from the front and back of a dress and the inner lining is made from purchased absorbing cotton. It is a good idea to pin the outer garment to the lining on all 4 sides before sewing, being sure to catch the ribbons at the edges of the dress so they do not fray. Once the seams have been pinned and sewn, turn the dress right-side out. Then, stitch around the upside down U-shape of the dress perimeter, up the lining side, under the armpit and down the exterior gown side. This step is crucial as the fabric can become stiff and rigid in a short amount of time after death and can cause skin sloughing. A beautiful way to honor your loved one is to donate their clothing to an angel gown project, such as Real Imprints. These are created by mothers of small babes who died in the NICU. The gowns are then given to the mother along with a special keepsake, so she can keep the memories of her baby with her forever. It is a truly heartwarming and compassionate project.

Many brides save their gowns as a wedding memento, but some decide to part ways with them after the big day. Whether you’re ready to sell or donate your dress, there are plenty of options for giving it new life. Here are a few tips to help you make the best choice. One of the most common options is to donate your wedding gown to a charity that supports women. This option offers a few benefits for both you and the recipient. You’ll free up space in your closet, get a tax deduction, and help a good cause. Some of these organizations also hold fundraisers where your donation can earn even more money for the charity. If you’re going this route, be sure to research the organization to ensure it’s reputable and has a history of success. You can also donate your wedding dress to a local thrift shop. However, it’s important to note that many of these shops require your dress to be professionally cleaned before donating. Some may even charge a fee for this service. Donating your dress can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. According to GreenDrop, textiles and clothing contribute to 10% of global carbon emissions. Reusing your bridal gown, along with other unused clothes and accessories, helps reduce this number. While you can sell your gown to a consignment store, this option is typically less profitable than donating it. Additionally, the commission fees can be quite high. Some consignment stores may also charge to clean the dress before it’s sold. Some wedding dress charities have a specific focus, such as raising funds for breast cancer research or fabricating funeral dresses for infants who pass away in the NICU. You can find these options by searching online for “wedding dress donation” and the location in which you live. For example, if you’re in the Albany, New York area, there are several “Angel Gown” programs run by local groups of volunteer sewers. These programs take donated wedding gowns and turn them into burial dresses for families who have lost an infant in the NICU. In addition to dresses, these groups also need donations of sewing supplies such as ribbon, lace, fabric scissors, pinking shears, and buttons.

CHARLOTTE, NC — While wedding dresses are designed to celebrate one of life’s biggest joys, at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte they are repurposed to help families cope with one of life’s greatest sorrows. The hospital’s Angel Gown Program accepts donated wedding gowns and repurposes them into garments for NICU babies who don’t survive their stay. The service gives grieving families a moment to cherish a memory that will never fade. Tess Soholt lost her own baby at just 18 weeks gestation during her first delivery as a labor and delivery nurse. It was a tragedy that weighed heavily on her heartstrings and ultimately inspired her to create something beautiful from it. Now, Soholt spends the majority of her retirement years sewing tiny handmade angel gowns and donating them across the country to give families a memory they will never forget. The nonprofit organization Touching Little Lives distributes the angel gowns to hospitals in central Ohio. Its infant loss coordinator Katrina Durst says the gowns are not only comforting to parents but also help nurses understand the depth of the loss. She says it can be very difficult for them to explain the reason they are not taking the baby home, especially when it’s an early death. Soholt’s gowns are made from the back of a wedding dress and she can often get up to 18 different unique tiny angel gowns and wraps out of one. She has also created a pattern for overalls and sleep sacks to be used with the tiniest babies, many who will be born under a pound or two. She adds a piece of fabric to the front where families can have their baby’s hand or foot print added as a keepsake. For those who are looking to donate a wedding dress or a part of one, Soholt recommends getting in touch with a group like hers or the local chapter of the National Angel Gown Alliance, which has locations all over the country. She also asks for donations of sewing supplies such as ribbon, lace, pinking shears, bobby pins, fabric scissors, sewing thread and even men’s ties to be used as bow ties on the tiny angel gowns and wraps. She says the women who sew the angel gowns find the process very therapeutic, and she hopes that by giving others the opportunity to be involved, they can also receive healing themselves. Soholt’s workshop is located in the upstairs of her home and she works with a handful of volunteers to sew the garments. She has a lot of faith in the power of her work and believes that people will continue to show up for their neighbor, whether it’s helping a friend move or sewing an angel gown. She feels that when you see how much the community cares for each other, it gives hope and strength. “I think the world is a much better place when we help each other,” she said.

Dunia perjudian online semakin berkembang pesat, dan salah satu platform yang menjadi sorotan adalah PKV Games. Dengan berbagai pilihan permainan menarik yang ditawarkan, PKV Games telah berhasil menarik perhatian para pecinta judi dari berbagai kalangan. Dari permainan kartu seperti Poker dan DominoQQ hingga permainan tradisional yang dimodernisasi, PKV Games memberikan pengalaman bermain yang menyenangkan dan menguntungkan. dominoqq Banyak faktor yang membuat PKV Games menjadi pilihan utama bagi para pemain judi online. Salah satunya adalah kemudahan akses melalui situs PKV dan aplikasi PKV Games yang memungkinkan pengguna untuk bermain kapan saja dan di mana saja. Dengan proses login yang simpel dan opsi daftar yang cepat, pemain baru pun bisa segera merasakan serunya bermain. Tidak heran jika PKV Games terus meraih popularitas di kalangan masyarakat yang gemar berjudi. Keuntungan Bermain PKV Games PKV Games menawarkan berbagai keuntungan yang menarik bagi para pecinta judi. Salah satu keuntungan utama adalah kemudahan akses yang diberikan oleh situs-situs PKV. Dengan hanya melakukan login PKV Games, pemain dapat langsung menikmati berbagai jenis permainan seperti dominoqq, bandarqq, dan poker online kapan saja dan di mana saja. Ini menjadikan pengalaman judi lebih fleksibel dan nyaman tanpa perlu pergi ke kasino fisik. Keunggulan lainnya adalah variasi permainan yang ditawarkan. Situs PKV Games menyediakan beragam pilihan, mulai dari aduq hingga domino qiu qiu, sehingga pemain tidak akan merasa bosan. Dengan banyaknya pilihan, pemain dapat menemukan permainan yang sesuai dengan selera dan keahlian mereka. Hal ini juga meningkatkan peluang untuk meraih kemenangan dengan strategi yang tepat dalam setiap jenis permainan. Terakhir, PKV Games juga dikenal dengan tingkat keamanan yang tinggi. Situs-situs terpercaya melakukan enkripsi data dan menawarkan layanan pelanggan yang responsif, memberikan rasa nyaman bagi pemain. Dengan sistem keamanan yang baik, pemain dapat fokus pada permainan tanpa khawatir tentang keamanan data pribadi dan transaksi keuangan mereka. Jenis Permainan yang Tersedia PKV Games menyediakan berbagai jenis permainan yang menarik dan mengasyikkan bagi para pecinta judi. Salah satu permainan yang paling populer adalah dominoqq, yang memadukan strategi dan keberuntungan, sehingga menarik banyak pemain. Dalam dominoqq, pemain dapat merasakan ketegangan saat bertanding melawan satu sama lain dengan kartu domino yang mereka miliki. Permainan ini juga sering diakses melalui situs dominoqq yang terpercaya. Selain dominoqq, terdapat pula permainan Bandarq yang menawarkan sensasi bertaruh melawan bandar. Dalam permainan ini, pemain dapat meningkatkan peluang menang dengan menggunakan berbagai strategi, menjadikannya pilihan favorit di kalangan pemain judi. Situs bandarqq memberikan platform yang aman dan nyaman untuk menikmati permainan ini, memungkinkan pemain untuk bermain kapan saja dan di mana saja. Tidak ketinggalan, PKV Games juga menawarkan permainan poker online yang semakin populer. Dengan variasi seperti PKV poker, pemain bisa merasakan pengalaman bermain poker yang sesungguhnya. Dalam susunan permainan ini, keterampilan dan analisa menjadi kunci untuk meraih kemenangan, membuatnya sangat menarik bagi mereka yang menyukai tantangan. Situs poker yang menyediakan PKV poker mempermudah pemain untuk menemukan pertandingan yang sesuai dengan kemampuan mereka. Cara Mendaftar di Situs PKV Mendaftar di situs PKV sangatlah mudah dan cepat. Pertama, Anda perlu memilih situs PKV yang terpercaya dan memiliki reputasi baik. Setelah itu, kunjungi halaman utama situs tersebut dan cari tombol atau link yang berlabel "Daftar" atau "Registrasi". Klik link tersebut untuk memulai proses pendaftaran. 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Sistem enkripsi yang canggih menjamin bahwa setiap data yang dikirimkan antara pemain dan server tetap terjaga dari kemungkinan kebocoran atau akses tidak sah. Selain aspek keamanan, kenyamanan dalam bermain juga menjadi perhatian penting. PKV Games menawarkan interface pengguna yang ramah, memudahkan para pemain untuk menavigasi laman dan menemukan permainan favorit mereka. Login PKV Games dapat dilakukan dengan cepat, dan proses pendaftaran yang sederhana membuat semua orang, termasuk pemula, dapat bergabung dengan mudah tanpa kesulitan. Fleksibilitas dalam bermain di berbagai perangkat semakin meningkatkan pengalaman pemain. Dengan aplikasi PKV Games yang dapat diunduh di smartphone, para pecinta judi dapat menikmati permainan kapan saja dan di mana saja. Hal ini membuat PKV sebagai pilihan utama yang menarik bagi banyak orang, karena mereka dapat bermain dengan aman dan nyaman di mana pun mereka berada. Mengapa PKV Games Lebih Populer PKV Games telah menjadi pilihan utama bagi para pecinta judi karena berbagai keunggulan yang ditawarkannya. Salah satu daya tarik utamanya adalah kemudahan akses yang diberikan melalui situs PKV dan aplikasi PKV Games. Para pemain dapat login dengan cepat dan mudah, serta melakukan pendaftaran dengan proses yang sederhana. Ini memungkinkan siapa saja, baik pemula maupun pemain berpengalaman, untuk segera merasakan pengalaman bermain yang memuaskan. Selain itu, variasi permainan yang ditawarkan di PKV Games juga menjadi faktor penentu. Dengan banyaknya opsi, seperti dominoqq, bandarqq, dan poker online, pemain tidak akan merasa bosan. Mereka memiliki kebebasan untuk memilih permainan yang sesuai dengan selera dan strategi masing-masing. Adanya game seperti aduq dan bandarq juga menambah variasi menarik yang memperkaya pengalaman bermain. Keamanan dan kenyamanan juga menjadi alasan mengapa PKV Games semakin diminati. Situs-situs terpercaya menyediakan lingkungan bermain yang aman, dengan fasilitas dukungan pelanggan yang siap membantu kapan saja. Para pemain dapat bermain dengan tenang tanpa khawatir mengenai masalah keamanan data pribadi atau kecurangan. Ini menciptakan suasana yang menyenangkan dan menambah kepercayaan dalam bertransaksi di dunia judi online.

About one in four women have to face the unthinkable loss of an infant. And for many of them, the funeral or memorial service is a difficult time to be without their baby. That’s why groups like Kennedy’s Angel Gowns place cooling units in hospitals to provide grieving families with a safe and peaceful space to say goodbye to their baby. They also make beautiful angel gowns that parents can use for their first and last moments with their little one. KSAZ’s Sarah Hulet recently met with Angel Gowns of WNY president, Missy Ray and her volunteer seamstresses to see how they transform wedding dresses into these special garments for babies who never get to go home. The volunteers start by carefully taking the wedding dress apart at the seams, and laying it out to see how many tiny gowns and wraps they can make from each piece of fabric. They can often get up to 18 unique tiny gowns and wraps out of a single dress. Then they sew them together, and iron, fold, and pack up each one to send out. It’s a big job for a small group, and they need help with shipping costs. Across the nation, these groups are accepting wedding dresses to turn into angel gowns for still births and miscarriages, but they can’t keep up with demand. And so, like the men’s ties you might have in your closet that don’t fit anymore, they need your help. The organization has been able to donate to families all over the country, including hospitals in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Missy Ray hopes the community can come together to make sure they can always meet that need.

A child funeral is a special service that allows children to say goodbye in a way that is appropriate to their age. It can be a very emotional event for the whole family and is an opportunity to help them process their grief in a healthy way. It is important to understand that children may have very different reactions than adults, and it is not uncommon for children to want to view their loved one’s body after a death. It is a good idea to talk to them about it ahead of time, and to answer their questions honestly. It is also important to give them a choice about whether they wish to participate or not. If they decide to, be sure that they have the option to leave at any time if they feel overwhelmed. If you choose to have an open casket funeral or memorial, it is important to prepare the child for what they will see. It is a good idea to take them to the funeral home or burial location beforehand, so they can get a sense of what it will be like. Explain the entire process, step by step, and let them ask as many questions as they need to. Many parents choose to have their children involved in the planning of a ceremony, such as choosing music, songs and poems that reflect on cherished memories. Some families also choose to have the children select a favorite picture or item of their deceased loved one, and include it in the photo display or memorial table during the service. Others have their children write a letter or poem to be read at the service, or design a special memory book to take home with them. Often, children love to be involved with the service itself. They might be a flower or balloon bearer, or act as honorary pallbearers. Older children might be invited to give a reading or short speech, and they can even create their own music for the service. Some children may prefer to have a special memorial to their sibling by choosing two identical objects, such as soft toys, to be placed in the casket or urn. It is also common to have a commemoration booklet handed out to guests that lists what will happen during the service, and it can be helpful for children to refer to this throughout the day. The booklet can be as simple as a piece of paper or a professionally printed brochure.