Lost lives remembered

GEELONG Cemeteries Trust has again given local families who have suffered pregnancy and infant loss the opportunity to honour and remember their much-loved babies.

The trust hosted a small crowd at the ceremony at its Pregnancy and Infant Loss Memorial Garden in Geelong Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon.

The garden, featuring a reflection pond and sculptural trees with hanging leaves inscribed with personalised messages, opened two years ago and is a place of peace and reflection.

The ceremony concluded with the floating of candles in the garden’s pond as part of the Wave of Light, observed around the world each year at 7pm on October 15 as part of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

 

Every year, more than 112,000 Australians suffer the loss of a child by miscarriage, stillbirth, or lose their child in the first 28 days after birth.

“This garden recognises the significance of baby loss,” Geelong Cemeteries Trust, chair John Mitchell said.

“We are grateful for the support from St John of God, Barwon Health and Hope Bereavement in the creation of the garden, and proud of the dedicated place we offer for parents and families to reflect and remember.”

Nestled in a quiet area within the memorial park, the garden is surrounded by towering trees, has views of sweeping greenery and the sound of gently flowing water.

“We hear it from our community and we feel it ourselves; a visit to the garden is a very poignant experience,” Mr Mitchell said.

Opening on October 15, 2021. the garden is dedicated to local families who have suffered pregnancy loss in the hope that it will assist their grieving process.

 

It is the final milestone in the establishment of the Pregnancy Loss Program, which was developed over five years and provides a free service to families unable to make formal funeral arrangements.

Any family within the Geelong Cemeteries Trust catchment that has suffered pregnancy loss, regardless of when the loss was suffered, is entitled to a leaf inscribed with their baby’s name, or just a simple message, that will be attached to one of the sculptured trees at no cost.

The gardens surrounding the reflection pond are available for purchase by any family that are wanting to establish a memorial, with or without cremated remains. These gardens will accommodate a memorial plaque and are available for any child under 11 years of age.

For more information, head to gct.net.au