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The death of a child is a tragedy that can affect all those who knew and loved them. There are many decisions that must be made, including funeral plans and whether to have a viewing or service. Ultimately, it is the parents’ decision on whether or not to have a child funeral, but it is important that they discuss it with their children and be honest with them. Children are resilient, and with clear, honest information and time to process it they may be able to participate in a service that is meaningful for them. A child funeral can be as simple or as complex as you wish. It can involve family and friends only, or a larger group. It can include a service similar to that of a traditional adult funeral, or it can be as small and private as spending time at the graveside. Some families even choose to hold a memorial service in their home rather than at the cemetery. Some parents decide to view their child’s body before the funeral. If so, they should prepare their child for what they will see. This can include explaining what the casket will look like, or if they are going to be cremated, then what their ashes will look like and where they will be kept. If your child is uncomfortable with seeing their sibling’s body, it is important that they are reassured that the body can no longer feel cold or pain. It is also helpful to explain that everyone grieves differently, and that they will probably see people expressing a variety of emotions, from tears to laughter. Children are often very perceptive, and they will absorb what they are seeing around them. Keeping their comfort in mind, it is good to appoint a trusted friend or relative to be their “funeral buddy” at the services. This person can keep them engaged in the proceedings, take them outside for breaks, and help them understand what they are experiencing. When it is time for the ceremony, your child should be encouraged to attend if they wish. However, if they are not comfortable and want to leave, it is important that they are allowed to do so without feeling guilty. It is also a good idea to talk with them ahead of time about what to expect and what it means that they will have to be quiet and sit still for long periods of time. After the funeral, your child will likely continue to have questions about their sibling as they grow up. It may be comforting for them to listen to a recording of the services, or it might be helpful to have their photo taken with a special sibling marker. In this way, they will be able to feel connected to their lost sibling whenever they want. This can be a very moving and comforting experience for them as they move through the stages of grief.

Having the right clothing items for baby is essential to making sure they are comfortable and cozy at all times. The best baby clothes are breathable and allow your little one to move freely. In addition, they should not have any tags or tags that could scratch your newborn. You’ll also want to include some outerwear that will keep them warm and protected from the elements. Baby jackets, mittens, and hats should all be included in your infant’s wardrobe. Cotton is a great option for many babies due to its hypoallergenic properties and breathable nature. In addition, it is easy to launder and dries quickly. When purchasing cotton, look for organic options (typically found on the garment label) as these are made without harmful chemicals that may irritate your baby’s skin. Other baby clothing materials to consider are muslin, bamboo, and fleece. These fabrics are breathable as well and offer a range of colors and styles to complement your baby’s outfit. When selecting these types of baby clothes, make sure that they are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified to ensure they’re free from pesticides and other potentially harmful substances. Babies are happiest when they’re warm and cozy, which is why many parents prefer to dress their child in layers. This will also help to protect them from overheating during the day and night. For a warm weather outfit, try rompers and 2-in-1 dresses (a dress top half with a romper under section) that will keep your baby cool and comfortable. Baby hats are also important for protecting your infant from the sun, and footie pajamas with attached mittens can help to prevent your baby from scratching themselves. While blankets can be a comforting addition to your infant’s sleep, it’s important to remember that SIDS is still a risk and to minimize the amount of blankets in their bed. A sleeveless swaddle blanket that can be worn over a sleeping sack or baby sleeper is a good alternative to a traditional blanket. There are many brands that specialize in creating a variety of baby clothes. These brands often focus on ethically sourced fabrics, minimalist designs, and a neutral color palette. For example, Honest Baby offers a wide selection of organic clothing for newborns that is GOTS-certified and free from flame retardants, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides.

Burial attire can reflect a person’s personal style, cultural background, and religious beliefs. It can also play an important role in a funeral service or memorial when it is worn by loved ones. While some people choose to dress casually in the days leading up to their burial, others prefer to select a favorite garment that holds sentimental value and would have been worn during their lifetime. When selecting clothing for a loved one, it is important to consider the fabric, color, fit, and ease of putting on. It is also helpful to check with a funeral home or cemetery regarding their policies on clothing and personal items. The majority of burial clothing was mass-produced in the United States during the industrialization of funerals in the wake of the Civil War and the acceptance of embalming as a process that allows families to have their loved ones returned in a preserved state. The garments, such as the gown shown here, are designed to be easily put on a dead body, with ties in the back for easy closure and drawstrings that can be adjusted to accommodate any changes in size after death. Some garments were dyed with natural dyes such as madder to enhance their appearance, but this was not always a consideration in the selection of clothing for burial purposes. A study of the biodegradability of wool fabrics found that soil types and microflora have a significant impact on the degradation rate of the fibers. In addition, the study determined that the addition of chemicals to the textiles increased the biodegradability rate significantly. While some individuals plan out their funeral attire in advance, it is not uncommon for a person to pass away without making their wishes known. When this occurs, family members and friends may need to make choices on their behalf. It is often best to stick to a person’s preferred style of clothing for their viewing and burial, and to take into account any religious or cultural guidelines that they would like to be adhered to. When choosing clothing for a loved one, it is vital to remember that the garments must be comfortable and easy to put on, as the individual has been in a coma or similar state since their passing. Using soft, breathable materials is the best option for this reason, as these fabrics will be gentle on the skin. It is also a good idea to consider the physical changes that have occurred in the deceased individual, such as a change in weight or body size, when selecting an outfit. While it is not a pleasant task, choosing the right clothing for a loved one who has passed on can be an opportunity to pay tribute to their unique personality and to honor their memory. By considering their preferred style of clothing, any religious or cultural guidelines that should be followed, and any special personal items that may be meaningful, the choice can be an uplifting and remembrance-filled experience.

Most girls dream of growing up and getting married in a beautiful storybook wedding. However, many brides don’t have the means to afford the wedding of their dreams. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people have had to scale back on their plans or cancel their nuptials completely. In light of this, more and more brides are choosing to donate their gowns rather than keep them in storage. Some of these wedding dresses end up going to thrift stores, while others are donated to charities and other organizations that specialize in helping couples with their special day. According to Zola, donating your gown is the best way to make sure that you don’t end up with an unused piece of clothing and that it is used for something other than hanging in a closet collecting dust. There are a number of charitable organisations that accept wedding dresses, and most of them have online forms to fill out or contact information that will walk you through the vetting process. Some of the most popular include Brides Across America, which outfits military and first responder brides for free, and Wish Upon A Wedding, which allows couples dealing with terminal illness to have their dream weddings. Other organisations include Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring, which helps high school students get retail work experience while selling donated gowns, and The Brides Project, which offers support for adults and children impacted by cancer. Some of these charities also resell the wedding dresses they have received, with the proceeds funding their missions including aiding women in the military, environmental protection, and supporting abuse survivors. You can find a full list of bridal charities that accept wedding dresses, including those that resell, on the Zola website. Another option for a used wedding dress is to have it made into a christening gown or other baby clothing. This is a great option for a family with small babies, and it can create a keepsake of your big day for the rest of the family to enjoy. Before donating your dress, it’s important to check that it’s in good condition. This includes ensuring that it doesn’t have any major rips or tears, as most charities prefer to give away dresses that are still in good condition. If you notice any damage, have it repaired by a seamstress before handing it over to charity. With so many options for donating your wedding dress, it’s important to take your time and select an organisation that has meaning to you as a bride. As a bonus, it’s likely that you will receive a tax deduction for your donation. Just make sure you get a receipt from the charity that you can use when filing your taxes.

In the grand tapestry of life, there are moments of tremendous joy and sorrow. In those moments of unimaginable loss, families need a little extra support. At UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, we provide a range of services to help families during this difficult time, including custom-made gowns for infants who are born too soon or pass away before going home. These beautiful gowns, made by volunteers across the country and internationally, help families remember their tiniest angel babies as part of their family forever. When Stacy Beck lost her own son to a stillbirth in 2017, she was heartbroken. But she found comfort in a quilt that a friend had made him, and from there, grew a passion to do the same for others. Now, she and other seamstresses in the Akron area are using donated wedding dresses to make gowns for families of stillborn or miscarriage babies. These gowns, which are hand-sewn by volunteers, are designed to fit any baby – from micro-preemies and those who were delivered full term. They also serve as a special keepsake for the parents, who can keep it with them always. “These gowns give dignity to grieving families and angel babies,” says Beck. “It’s so important to us because we know first-hand the impact that a loss of a child can have on a family and community.” Across the country, volunteer seamstresses, like Sue Bauer of central Ohio, are using donated wedding dresses to create the angel gowns, which are distributed free of charge to families and hospitals. A typical dress can produce up to 20 angel gowns, and Bauer’s organization — Angel Gowns of Central Ohio — is looking for more seamstresses to join her team. She’s also accepting monetary donations to purchase embellishments as well as yarn, lap blankets, baby items, sew-in Velcro, thread, ribbon, soft fleece and elastic. A former labor and delivery nurse, Mangiaracina knows the pain of infant loss, so she wrote a column in 2015 to share her story and the work she’s doing to help other women. It prompted an amazing response. She now has a network of 44 seamstresses who sew the angel gowns and wraps for families in the Spokane area, as well as for hospitals in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Columbus, Ohio; Groveport, Ohio; and Texas. At the same time, about an hour west of Minneapolis, in Darwin, Minn., Jean Lee and her team of volunteers are also expanding their work. The group, called NICU Helping Hands, turns donated wedding dresses into the final outfits for infants who die in labor or shortly after birth. The garments include a knitted hat and blanket, a heart or cross charm and a Bible verse. Eventually, the group plans to add vests for boys made from men’s suits and pants. The women meet monthly in the basement of All Saints Lutheran Church in Darwin to work on their creations. “This is the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done,” said Lee, a Pennsauken resident who has worked on the project since 2009. “I don’t get tired of it.”

A child funeral is an opportunity for family and friends to come together, share photos, stories and memories of your baby, child or teenager who has died. The service can be as long or short as you wish and can be held at a venue of your choice such as your home, a community space, a church, a hotel or even a park or beach. A funeral provides a time and place to connect with loved ones who have experienced the same loss and to help us make sense of what has happened. Often, children want to be involved and it is important that they are encouraged and supported to do so. For some families it is helpful to involve their child right from the beginning, for others it works best to allow them to attend a funeral without parental involvement (with close adult supervision). Children need to be prepared for what is happening and this can begin at any age. It is important to sit down with your children, or the child you are caring for and talk about what is going to happen at a funeral and how they might feel. It is also important to explain the logistics of a funeral such as who will be there, how long the services might last and how the body will be taken care of. Providing children with all of the information they need will empower them and help them to understand what is happening. This can help them to decide if they want to attend a funeral, but it is also OK for children to change their mind on the day and this should be respected. If you are worried about how your child might cope at a funeral or you are not sure they will want to attend, it can be helpful to enlist the help of another friend or family member to support them and look after them for the duration of the ceremony. It may also be helpful to arrange a break for them away from the setting and provide them with a quiet space to rest or play, such as a garden at the crematorium or cemetery. Some children, especially those who have been in care or who have had medical complications, do not want to go to a funeral and this is completely normal. It is however, important to give your child as much information as possible and listen to them to understand their decision. Many parents say that finding ways to honour their child and bring a sense of meaning to what has happened helps them manage the grief. This can be through a special celebration of life ceremony, having a message board at the funeral or graveside or by having a candlelight vigil at home. Other parents also like to have a memorial tree planted, join a support group or donate to charities that honour the life of their child. All of these things can help them to process the grief and move on.

From spit-ups to blowouts, your little bundle of joy is going to go through multiple outfit changes a day. Choosing clothes that are easy to dress and undress can save you time and stress, especially during a busy diapering routine. Look for snaps, zippers and elastics that are easy to use and don’t rub against your baby’s sensitive skin. Closure options like safety tabs (small pieces of fabric that cover zippers or snaps) and double zippers with two pulls are also helpful. Lastly, choose fabrics that can handle multiple washes and are soft against your baby’s delicate skin. Start with bodysuits and onesies (3-6 months) and add in pants (3-4). Depending on your child’s gender, consider adding a few dresses and skirts (4-9 months) that can be worn for special occasions. Dresses and skirts are great for bringing along to the park or on a family outing, as they provide a comfortable and fun alternative to more formal clothing. A few pairs of socks (6-8 months) and hats (2-3) are always useful as well. Stylish accessories like hats and socks can help to make your baby look more adorable. If you plan to swaddle your newborn, you’ll want some swaddle blankets (8-9 months). These snuggly wraps are designed with just the right amount of stretch and are made with cotton that feels comfortable against baby’s skin. They help to mimic the womb environment and can help babies sleep longer, which is helpful for parents! For colder climates, it’s essential to have a few wintertime clothes on hand. Besides having a warm fleece jacket, you’ll want to stock up on hats and socks and a pair of baby snow pants (6-8 months). Having a few pairs of winter gloves and boots (2-3) will allow your infant to play outside safely and comfortably. You’ll also want some diaper bag essentials, including a changing pad cover and baby wipe case, as well as a pack of newborn diapers, rash cream and teething powder. Finally, don’t forget a few small toys and books to keep your little one entertained while you change her or take her out for a walk. Shop our collection of baby clothing to find a variety of adorable outfits for your new arrival. Don’t be afraid to try out a few different brands, as size discrepancies can be normal and babies grow quickly. When in doubt, it’s usually best to size up. From rompers and striped tees to dressy A-line dresses and twirl-worthy skirts, our collection has everything you need to complete your newborn’s wardrobe.

The clothing worn by a loved one at a funeral can have an effect on the way family members view that person, and what they say about him or her. For many people, dressing their dead relatives in clothes that honor their identity and personality is a comforting act of love. While traditional burial attire tends to lean toward formality, the choice of what a person wears after death can vary widely according to cultural norms and personal preferences. Dressing a loved one for a funeral is not only comforting to the survivors, but also helps those who come to pay their respects. “There is an intimacy in the process of choosing what someone will wear for his or her final resting place and putting it on,” says Basile. “It’s like saying goodbye.” In addition to a family member’s closet, the deceased can also be dressed in clothing that was purchased specially for this purpose. Many of these garments, which are designed to resemble daywear or evening gowns, are available from funeral homes or online retailers. Others are made for specific events such as a memorial service or a visitation. Some are designed to look more like a shroud, suitable for green funerals or woodland burial grounds. A recent innovation in the production of burial clothes has been a process called “digital embalming,” which makes it possible to preserve the body for public viewing with little need for a casket, making these types of garments even more popular. The digital process allows for detailed work in areas such as stitching and embroidery, which adds a sense of elegance and dignity to the outfit. One of the most difficult decisions for families arranging a funeral is what to wear their deceased relative in when they are being buried or cremated. While there is no legal requirement that a person be dressed for this occasion, the practice can make the final moments of a loved one’s life feel less sterile and clinical. Although it is possible for anyone to be buried in any clothing, most people choose garments that reflect their lifestyle and religious beliefs. Some common choices for men include suits, dress shirts and ties, while women tend to select dresses or skirts. In the past, funeral directors sometimes sourced burial garments from local businesses or private suppliers that specialized in lingerie and wedding apparel. More recently, a number of companies have begun producing such clothing themselves. For example, Abigal Press, a New York company that dates back to 1936, offers a variety of different styles and fabric options, including a line of burial gowns. While most burial gowns are made from white or light-colored fabrics, some designers have also incorporated accent colors and decorative trim to create unique designs that are suitable for any occasion. Another important consideration is the material a gown is made of, as some materials are not appropriate for certain types of funerals or for those who wish to be buried in nature or a woodland burial site.

When the wedding festivities are over and your beautiful gown is hanging in your closet, a new bride might be wondering, “What now?” Instead of leaving it to collect dust, donate it! Many bridal charity outlets (like Oxfam in both Dublin and Bangor, Barnardos Bridal in Dun Laoghaire and Wexford and St Vincent de Paul in all counties) are happy to take your dress off your hands. Plus, donating your dress has other benefits: it’s potential tax-deductible and helps reduce the amount of carbon emissions created by the textile industry, according to Zola. As a bonus, it frees up more space in your closet for the next bride to make her own memories in! And, if you do decide to sell or store your dress, keep in mind that a local thrift shop is another way to give it a second life while supporting a great cause. For instance, Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland accepts donated dresses and other bridal accessories to support Success in Style, a program that helps people in need get jobs. The nonprofit also runs a retail boutique, Cherie Amour, where it sells the gowns for less than their original cost and donates the rest of the proceeds to the organization. Other shops accepting gowns and other bridal accessories include Brides for a Cause in Portland, which donates the majority of the revenue from each sale to charities that benefit women. In addition, the Emma and Evan Foundation repurposes wedding dress donations into infant burial gowns, known as angel gowns, and bonnets that are given to grieving families for free. This non-profit, which focuses on supporting families who have lost children, has several locations in the US and Canada. Before you take your dress to a charity outlet, Chapman recommends doing some research on the company to ensure it’s reputable and that the proceeds from your dress are actually going to the charity you choose. She also suggests getting in touch with the charity to confirm its dress acceptance criteria and donation guidelines. Ultimately, if you’re not interested in reselling or donating your dress, consider keeping it as a piece of home decor. You could display it on a mannequin, use it as a backdrop for photos or turn it into a cherished keepsake for your children. If you’re a crafty goddess, you can even transform it into pillows and other home décor pieces! Remember to clean your dress before donating it, as some organizations might not accept dresses that have been worn. And before dropping it off, check with your chosen charity to see if they have any additional requirements, like having a certain time frame within which you need to donate the dress. It’s important to do your research so you can be confident that your wedding dress will help a worthy cause and bring joy to a new bride, too.

During this season of giving, many are searching for ways to give back. For some, the most fulfilling way to contribute is by providing comfort for others during times of grief and loss. For families whose infants are lost, at any stage of pregnancy, angel gowns can offer them a small bit of peace during their time of mourning. These gowns are created by seamstresses across the country using donated wedding dresses and donated material. The women work on a volunteer basis, which means there is no charge for the gowns and they are offered to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and directly to families. The NICU at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center extends its deepest gratitude to this special group of volunteers and their hard work. Each gown has been made with so much love, honoring the life of a baby taken too soon and helping to ease some of the pain associated with these tragic circumstances. Brandy Smith, a nurse in the NICU at Riley, knows first-hand how meaningful these gowns can be. The family of a young woman who recently passed away received one of these gowns, and she says it meant the world to them. “To know that someone took the time to make a beautiful dress in her memory, it helped us to not feel as suffocated and hopeless as we were feeling,” she says. Judi Mangiaracina, the founder of Angel Gowns, says she is proud that her organization has grown to include seamstresses throughout the United States. She credits the dedication of these women as the reason behind their success. Some of the seamstresses are retired, and some are stay-at-home moms, but they each find the time to sew these angel gowns during their free time. They even have a Facebook group where they communicate and share ideas about how to best create these garments. The program accepts bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses, and prom gowns that are less than five years old in light shades of blue, pink, or purple. They also accept accessories such as shoes, jewelry, veils, and pins. The seamstresses use these items to create the angel gowns, which are then provided to hospitals, funeral homes, and directly to parents. Lisa McCoy, the placement coordinator for Angel Gowns, enjoys connecting with grateful hospital staff and arranging placement for the gowns. She has a passion for making people smile and feels her job is a great way to do that. She lives in Utah with her husband and six children, and when she isn’t sewing, she is volunteering at her local church. Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach is dedicated to delivering high quality, compassionate care to patients and their families. Visit the website to learn more about the services they offer.