MercyOne Genesis Spiritual Care will host Open Arms, its annual remembrance service for families who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. The service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, inside the mausoleum at Oakdale Memorial Gardens, 2501 Eastern Ave., Davenport.
The month of October is dedicated to Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness. Each year, thousands of families are affected by the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth or early infancy caused by SIDS or other health problems. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan designated October as a month to honor the unique grief of bereaved parents and families who have lost a baby.
“When I think of the families who have lost a child, I am reminded of the poem ‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer, especially this part: ‘For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are a part of us,’” Jim Hogg, MercyOne Genesis manager of Spiritual Care, said in a news release. “We hope the Open Arms service will help comfort and support these families.”
MercyOne Genesis applauded Oakdale Cemetery for its support in this effort.
