Most people may have no idea where to begin to plan a funeral for a baby, and that’s okay. The only thing that matters is honoring your baby in a way that feels right for you. 

 Helpful suggestions for planning an end-of life service

• Burial. Do you have a cemetery picked out?

• Cremation. Is there a special urn you would like?

• Casket. Is there a special casket you would want for your baby?

• Outfit. Do you have an outfit you would like them to wear – hat, booties, and blanket

• Footprints and Handprints. Do you want their handprints and footprints?

• Do you want to send anything with your baby? Picture, letter or stuffed animal.

• Do you want to keep anything they wore during the ceremony? Do you have any alternate clothes you want your baby to wear so you can keep their clothes they wore during the service?

• Picking out an urn or casket?

• Do you want a floral spray or flowers. You can pick a few flowers and dry them for a keepsake.

• Poems or Readings. You can choose meaningful poems to be read.

• Music. Do you want music to be played during the service?

• Pictures. Do you want someone to take videos or pictures of the ceremony?

If your baby was born premature and you are worried about an outfit. Share this concern with your hospital. Some hospitals have gowns and wraps that fit even the tiniest of babies.In Alberta you can reach out to Angel Dresses Canada – Alberta Angels and fill out a form for an urgent request. http://angeldressescanada.com/urgent-gown-request/

 Planning your baby’s service can be a traumatic experience. If you are needing help making decisions, ask those closest to you for help. If you are using a funeral home ask the funeral director any questions or concerns you may have. However you choose to plan your baby’s service, ensure it feels right to you.