So what is a Memory Box?

"A keepsake box or memory box, typically made from wood, is used for storing mementos of a special time, event or person. They are often created or purchased to mark life's major events like a christening, wedding, birthday or First Holy Communion.

They may also be given for sad occasions of bereavement, such as the stillbirth of a child, when a keepsake/memory box helps with the grieving process. This sort of a keepsake box may be personalised with a person's name, design or picture." Wikipedia


Do we get together to pack memory boxes? No, we don't. Due to the relatively small numbers needed if we packed lots of boxes space would have to be found to store them and also they might not be used for some time. We supply the empty boxes and contents and the health staff choose what to put in according to size of the baby.

Each Memory Box is filled with:-


  • two teddies (one for Mum & Dad, one to stay with baby)
  • an inkless hand/footprint kit (using a reactive paper and special wipe
        so no messy inkpad)
  • a small box to keep precious items in
  • 3D casting of hands and feet where possible 
  • notebook and pen for important information, memories or thoughts
  • books on grief and loss
  • a children's book
  • ceramic remembering hearts
  • 'Heart in "Their Hand" keyring 
  • a curl box
  • a sympathy card and letter from us including a list of ‘essential photos to take’ and ‘things you
        may wish to do’ (available in English, Portuguese and Polish)
  • support information
  • a beautiful hand crafted baby book that could also be used as a condolence book or journal
  • Certificate of Birth for babies stillborn pre 24 weeks gestation

We also provide a baby blanket, baby clothes or for very small babies who may be too small or fragile to be dressed, tiny satin gowns or angel pockets. Even our tiniest babies deserve some dignity.


In addition, we have donated a dedicated digital camera for the Maternity Unit 'Family Room', with a supply of memory cards for parents to use and take home.

The books are:-

FOR PARENTS


'Saying Goodbye' by Zoe Clark-Coates

Losing a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, leaves so many parents lost in grief and full of unanswered questions. Zoe Clark-Coates, and her husband Andy, have personally faced the loss of five babies, now share their story.

This book shares their loss and alongside this are 90 days of daily support for those who are grieving, offering comfort and hope during the difficult days, weeks and months.

This book was launched during Baby Loss Awareness Week in October 2017 and quickly become an Amazon bestseller. 

For younger children, we also provide We Were Gonna Have a Baby but We Had an Angel Instead by Pat Schweibert and Taylor Bills (also translated into Portuguese and Polish). Young children often struggle to understand, compounded by talk of 'gone to sleep' 'losing the baby' etc. and can blame themselves when they do not understand. The book is very simple, beautifully illustrated and hopefully can help them begin to comprehend what has happened, why everyone is so sad and that it is not their fault.

'In The Stars'

A beautiful story book aimed at younger children to help explore issues and questions when a baby dies. This may be particularly helpful for siblings, cousins and friends and is a beautifully illustrated account of two young children talking about what might have happened to a baby called Kitty. It provides an opportunity to explore questions and grief gently and safely.

'These Precious Little People' is a book that has been written for families to use with children affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or soon after birth.

The focus is usually on the bereaved parents when a baby dies, but there are very often children who will have been aware of the pregnancy and will have to be told the news that the baby has died. Understandably, it is often our instinct to protect children from the harsh realities of babies dying, but unfortunately if the worst happens to us, or someone we are close to, it is impossible to avoid or skirt around the topic. This book is intended to be a framework from which to then have conversations where the circumstances specific to each baby can be explained more fully if desired.


We also provide SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) literature pack which includes all support leaflets including:-


When a baby dies before labour begins

and

Saying goodbye to your baby
  • This what we received - a SANDS booklet, a lock of hair, hand and footprints, a cot card, measuring tape and a couple of photographs.
    This what we received - a SANDS booklet, a lock of hair, hand and footprints, a cot card, measuring tape and a couple of photographs.
  • What is offered now, a memory box full of memory making items, keepsakes, baby blanket and suitably sized clothing for even our tiniest babies, support leaflets and literature.
    What is offered now, a memory box full of memory making items, keepsakes, baby blanket and suitably sized clothing for even our tiniest babies, support leaflets and literature.
  • We offer both large memories, or, a smaller version for earlier losses.
    We offer both large memories, or, a smaller version for earlier losses.
  • Baby blanket
    Baby blanket
  • Angel pocket for babies too small or fragile to be dressed.
    Angel pocket for babies too small or fragile to be dressed.
  • Angel gowns,in 3 sizes.
    Angel gowns,in 3 sizes.
  • Angel wraps for our very tiniest babies.
    Angel wraps for our very tiniest babies.
  • Our letter to parents, including a list of photographs to take and things to do and a sympathy card from us.
    Our letter to parents, including a list of photographs to take and things to do and a sympathy card from us.
  • Inkless hand and footprint kit, which captures tiny hand and footprints and leaves no ink on the baby. Also very useful should any remembrance jewellery be wanted in the future as it gives such good detail.
    Inkless hand and footprint kit, which captures tiny hand and footprints and leaves no ink on the baby. Also very useful should any remembrance jewellery be wanted in the future as it gives such good detail.
  • Clay impression kits for bigger babies (due to the pressure needed to make the impression, this may not be suitable for all babies).
    Clay impression kits for bigger babies (due to the pressure needed to make the impression, this may not be suitable for all babies).
  • Ceramic remembering hearts. The inner heart remains with the baby, the outer heart remains with the parents reminding them of the unbroken connection that remains between them.
    Ceramic remembering hearts. The inner heart remains with the baby, the outer heart remains with the parents reminding them of the unbroken connection that remains between them.
  • Two identical teddies, one to stay with the baby and one for the parents to keep.
    Two identical teddies, one to stay with the baby and one for the parents to keep.
  • A curl box, inscribed 'A Wisp of Baby's Hair'.
    A curl box, inscribed 'A Wisp of Baby's Hair'.
  • A memory card to be used with the Maternity camera.
    A memory card to be used with the Maternity camera.
  • A beautifully handcrafted book, to be used to tell the baby's story, the parents hopes and dreams for their child. Or as a journal for their own thoughts and feelings, or maybe as a condolence book.
    A beautifully handcrafted book, to be used to tell the baby's story, the parents hopes and dreams for their child. Or as a journal for their own thoughts and feelings, or maybe as a condolence book.
  • A detail from the baby book.
    A detail from the baby book.
  • A small box, matching the memory box, to keep precious items in.
    A small box, matching the memory box, to keep precious items in.
  • A book on grief and loss. Grief can affect you in all manner of ways, to know these are normal can be immensely comforting.
    A book on grief and loss. Grief can affect you in all manner of ways, to know these are normal can be immensely comforting.
  • A range of SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) support leaflets.
    A range of SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) support leaflets.
  • Support leaflets from Rayner Ward (Jersey), for early second trimester losses.
    Support leaflets from Rayner Ward (Jersey), for early second trimester losses.
  • 'I Can't Talk' cards - for those times when it is too difficult to explain without tears, please hand over a card.
    'I Can't Talk' cards - for those times when it is too difficult to explain without tears, please hand over a card.
  • Beautiful Christmas glass bauble, with white feathers in, for our Christmas babies.
    Beautiful Christmas glass bauble, with white feathers in, for our Christmas babies.
  • A detail from the Christmas bauble.
    A detail from the Christmas bauble.
  • A candle to light, and remember.
    A candle to light, and remember.
  • Contact details for the charity, should you wish to speak to someone who has 'been there', plus our charity pin.
    Contact details for the charity, should you wish to speak to someone who has 'been there', plus our charity pin.
  • Younger children can often blame themselves when they don't understand the situation. A beautifully illustrated book to explain what has happened.
    Younger children can often blame themselves when they don't understand the situation. A beautifully illustrated book to explain what has happened.
This what we received - a SANDS booklet, a lock of hair, hand and footprints, a cot card, measuring tape and a couple of photographs.
This what we received - a SANDS booklet, a lock of hair, hand and footprints, a cot card, measuring tape and a couple of photographs.