S A I L

Support for Adoption, Infertility and Loss
www.sailministry.org
E-mail: sailsupport@comcast.net

An outreach of “Connections”, the women’s ministry of Heritage United Methodis Church

Planning a Memorial Service for Your Baby

For Clergy (One Presiding Over Service) :

• Become familiar with the family and the situation
• Speak of the baby by name during the service.

Preparing for the Memorial Service:

• Select music carefully – the songs chosen will forever be associated with the baby and the service for the baby (perhaps lullabies and nursery rhymes should not be used, unless specifically requested by the parents.) (See list of “Song Suggestions”)
• Play music softly.
• Hold a candlelight service – or light a candle in honor of the baby.
• Write a poem or letter to your baby to be placed in the casket. You might also want to include a blanket, stuffed animal, etc.
• Consider selecting/sharing a poem written in honor of your baby

Additional Resources:

• www.nationalshareoffice.com/resources_services.shtml
• www.missfoundation.org/family/funeral.html

Song Suggestions:

• I Believe (Diamond Rio)
• Where You Are (Josh Groban)
• Fly (Celine Dion)
• Go Rest High on that Mountain (Vince Gill)
• Homesick (Mercy Me)
• Dancing with the Angels (Monk & Neagle)