In Today’s Issue:

🔗 The best resources I found this week
📖 Deep dive: Why Every Hospital Needs a Dedicated Bereavement Space
🩷 Self-care moment

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Want to learn how to get Forget Me Not Boxes in your hospital? Reply “Bereavement boxes”

🔗 The Best Resources I Found This Week

🛋️ 6 Ideas to Decorate a Stillborn Room (Forget Me Not)

💡 This nurse created a Pinterest board for Perinatal Bereavement Keepsakes & Hospital. (Pinterest)

💡 Another nurse created an Amazon wish list of bereavement room supplies (Amazon) 

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by: Caring Cradle®

Caring Cradle® A Cooling Cradle for Infant Demise

A Caring Cradle® is a cooling bassinet that is designed to allow families more time with their infant that has died. The cradle comes assembled and is ready for use 30 minutes after being plugged in. With the gel mat properly cooled, it allows families to hold their baby and have that extra time they wouldn’t normally have to create memories.

📖 Deep Dive

Creating Space for a Dedicated Bereavement Room

Bereavement rooms aren't just a nice-to-have—they're essential. But when you bring up the idea to administration and hear "we don't even have space for supplies," it can feel like hitting a brick wall. Today, let's talk about making a case that's impossible to ignore.

Advocating for a Bereavement Space at Your Hospital

When hospital administrators cite space constraints, it's important to present a compelling case that addresses both the human and financial aspects of bereavement care. Research shows that "quality bereavement care can lead to fewer grief complications, greater staff retention, improved brand perception and overall cost savings". Poor bereavement care can result in "prolonged and complicated grief for families, increasing demand on mental health services and adding further financial pressure to the healthcare system".

When you approach administration, lead with the human impact but follow with the business case. Here's your roadmap:

Start with the Patient Experience Reality: Share what you witness daily. The Leicester project was actually triggered by a complaint from a bereaved father about inappropriate staff interactions. Sometimes it takes one powerful story to create change.

Present the Staff Impact: Here's something administrators don't always expect—the positive impact on staff. A midwife from the Leicester project noted: "Previously we were embarrassed by the facilities and believed this added to the patient's distress. The provision of massively improved facilities encourages us to perform to the highest standards and we feel valued".

Address the Legal and Risk Aspects: Proper bereavement care reduces litigation risk and protects the hospital's reputation. Quality bereavement care isn't just compassionate—it's protective.

Highlight the Marketing Value: Hospitals with dedicated bereavement facilities become known as centers of excellence, attracting patients and positive community attention.

Getting Started: When Space Really Is Limited

I hear you—sometimes the space constraints are real. But here's the thing: you don't need a palace. You need a start.

Option 1: The Designated Room Approach
Some hospitals simply designate their quietest room, furthest from the nursery sounds. Add a butterfly on the door, dim the lights, and you've created something meaningful.

Option 2: The Conversion Strategy
Can an existing space be dual-purpose? Many hospitals convert conference rooms or family consultation rooms when needed.

Option 3: The Mobile Cart Solution
If you truly can't designate space, create a mobile bereavement cart that can be brought to any room. Fill it with essential supplies and memory-making items.

Creating the Space

The environment where families say hello and goodbye to their baby matters deeply. Thoughtful details—soft lighting, comforting keepsakes, and privacy—can transform a standard hospital room into a place of solace and memory-making. Here’s a list of essential items that help create a supportive, healing atmosphere for families experiencing stillbirth or infant loss. For inspiration on how to design a space that feels both comforting and dignified, be sure to visit our blog post on decorating bereavement rooms.

Memory-Making Ideas:

• Forget Me Not bereavement boxes—everything families need for creating lasting memories

• Hand and foot impressions

• Photography supplies and props

• Keepsake boxes for mementos

• For DIY approaches, check out this compiled supply list and this Pinterest board full of ideas from other units.

Cooling Solutions:

Cooling units allow families more precious time to spend with their baby in a dignified, private setting.

Here's where our sponsor, Caring Cradle, comes in. “The Caring Cradle gives more time with families that have experienced the loss of an infant. Our cradles are designed to slow the biological effects that are experienced with the loss of a newborn.”

If your hospital doesn't have budget for a cooling cradle, they accept donation requests from hospitals. You can reach out to them at [email protected] with your hospital name and location to be added to their donation list.

🩷 Self-care moment

Caring for families experiencing loss can take an emotional toll on healthcare providers. It's essential to prioritize your own wellbeing while advocating for these important changes. Remember that "providing perinatal bereavement care is a stressful and challenging area of practice", and seeking support is not only normal but necessary.