Infant Bereavement

A miscarriage (early pregnancy loss) is a naturally occurring, unexpected loss of pregnancy before the 20th week of pregnancy. Most miscarriages happen very early in the pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. There are many different causes, most of which cannot be prevented. Emotionally you may find yourself dealing with the feelings of sadness and grief. Please know our providers are available to speak with you regarding any physical or emotional concerns you may have. Pastoral care services are offered at all of our hospital locations as well. Counseling may help you cope with your grief. Later, if you do decide to try again, work closely with your health care provider to lower the risks. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. May you find grace and strength for your healing and recovery.

CHI Health continues to remember the loss of your baby. We schedule four Infant Loss Memorial Services each year to remember their precious lives:

• Infant Committal services are for parents and families who have chosen hospital burial for their infant who was not born alive.  These services are held twice a year, usually in April and October, at the St Mary Magdalene Cemetery..
• Infant Memorial Services remember all infants whether the life was lived within the womb or for a short time outside the womb. They are held twice a year in January and July at either CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy or CHI Health Immanuel.

Please note, a Certificate of Life is available upon request. If you would like more information on bereavement resources or questions, please contact please call Pastoral Care at (402) 398-6030.

Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time. It may be hard to make important decisions. We want to make sure you know all of your options for disposition.

Private Burial or Cremation

You may choose individual burial or cremation, no matter how early or how far along you were in your pregnancy. However, you must choose this option if your baby was alive at the time of delivery. Most people choose a funeral home to help make individual arrangements. Please ask if you would like help finding a funeral home.

Hospital-arranged Burial

If your baby died before birth, you have the option to include your baby in our group burial service. The burial is a shared casket burial that takes place every six months at St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery located at 48th and Q Streets. The services are held at the end of April and end of October at no cost to you. You will receive an invitation to the service a few weeks prior. While you cannot mark the gravesite with your baby’s name, there are options to have a paver made to place in the rock garden next to the mausoleum.

Undecided

If you are undecided and do not inform the hospital of your choice for disposition within fourteen days, the hospital will include the remains in the hospital burial. If you would like to speak to someone regarding the above information, please ask the clinic staff to contact Pastoral Care.