A memorial service is a way of celebrating the life of a loved one who has died, and can include very personal choices that may not be available when funerals face restrictions designed to keep the public safe from covid-19 transmission. Funerals and cremations need to be held within specific timeframes, but there is no time-limit for holding memorials for loved ones.
This means that a baby’s memorial service may be planned for the months to come when the rules around public gatherings may change. This is something you may wish to think about when planning who to include in funeral arrangements while protecting vulnerable family members and friends from coronavirus. There is no time-limit for holding memorials for loved ones.
Whether you hold your baby’s memorial service now or in future, you may consider holding memorials in the following ways:
- Using video call, by means of a group platform that enables people to participate from home
- Making a recording or video of you and the people you live with commemorating your baby with readings, songs, or any other activities special to you and sharing it with those who can’t be there
- Agreeing for your family and friends to engage in the same activity on a specific day to commemorate your baby (crafting, gardening, art or music for example)
- Creating something that your loved ones can see and create their own versions of, with a view to merging the various items at a later date
During this time, while you are advised not to visit your baby’s grave or special place, you may want to think about using some of the ideas above to remember your baby.
Please see guidance on visiting crematoria, graves & memorials here.