"Forever My Child" Remembrance Box
Newborn/Pregnancy Loss Program

 
Participating Hospitals

• Aurora Hospital - Kenosha & Sheboygan
•  Community Memorial Hospital - Meonomonee Falls
• Froedtert Hospital - Milwaukee
• Meriter Hospital - Madison
• Oconomowoc Hospital
• Children's Hospital of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
• Theda Clark - Neenah
• United Hospital - Kenosha

MargaretAnn’s Place is honored to provide our Forever My Child Remembrance Box to families who experience the death of their baby during pregnancy, at birth or shortly after birth. 

These boxes offer parents both valuable educational/supportive literature and keepsake items immediately at the hospital.  Bereaved parents are struggling emotionally and physically and are not in a position to actively seek out resources nor do they have the luxury of time to await their arrival.  By providing them with resources at the hospital they or their family members are able to gain valuable insight, strength and knowledge which will assist them in making informed decisions – decisions they have to live with for the rest of their life.

The linking objects/mementos were carefully chosen to provide parents with a needed and meaningful connection to their baby.  If they are able to hold their baby or have a photograph taken of their baby, the blanket provided can be used and then taken home with the family or used in the burial.  Current hospital security policies prohibit hospital blankets from leaving the premises.  The teddy bear can be placed in the baby’s bassinette while they are at the hospital.  It also gives the mother “something” to hold on to.  Mothers who have had their babies die experience what they call, “empty arms,” that is described as an “ache” to hold their baby.  The bear is not intended to be a substitute, but serves as something that was with their baby at the hospital and has a special connection.  Other items include a candle, “Precious Child” CD, empathy card for staff to sign and a pin.  Hospitals are encouraged to come up with their own ideas regarding additional items. 

The boxes are large enough to hold all of these items in one place and also serve as a place to hold other items such as sympathy cards, pregnancy test, ultra sound pictures, etc., The size of the box also sends parents the message that although they did not get the opportunity to spend time on earth with their baby, there are many ways to remember their life and the love they have for them.  The boxes were designed specifically to be round in shape as many babies are buried in rectangular shaped boxes.

• Keepsake Box – 13” x  7”, w/ moiré fabric -Pink, Lavender, Blue, Mint Green
• Blanket – 100% cotton/Jockey – Pink or Blue
•  “When Hello Means Goodbye” Literature – by Perinatal Loss
• “Precious Child” musical CD by Karen Taylor Good
• Angel Teddy Bear
• Candle
• Empathy Card to be signed by staff
• Hole in My Heart Pin
  

MargaretAnn's Place
Wisconsin's Center of Hope for Grieving Children

Mailing Address: 912 N. Hawley Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53213
414-732-2663 or 414-599-0888 or Toll Free (866) 455-HOPE (4673)
E-mail: hope@margaretannsplace.org