Funerals / Memorial Services
(Underlined/highlighted books are available from the A Place To Remember www bookstore.)

Bittersweet: Hello/Goodbye. A resource in planning farewell rituals when a baby dies, edited by Sister Jane Marie Lamb, 1988. National SHARE Office, St. Joseph Health Center, St. Charles, MO. Available from A Place to Remember, (800) 631-0973. A compilation of memorial services, poems and rituals gathered from bereaved families over a period of ten years to help parents plan farewell rituals for their babies. Excellent information.

Caring For Your Own Dead, Lisa Carlson, 1987. Upper Access Publishers, One Upper Access Rd., PO Box 457, Hinesburg, VT 05461. A complete guide for those who wish to handle funeral arrangements themselves...as a final act of love.

Comfort Us Lord - Our Baby Died, Norman Hagley, 1985. Centering Corp., Omaha, NE. Available from A Place to Remember, (800) 631-0973. A book of prayers for families who have lost a small infant to stillbirth or early infant death. The book is meant to affirm feelings and support beliefs. (Also available in Spanish)

Creating Meaningful Funeral Ceremonies: A Guide for Caregivers, Alan Wolfelt, 1994. Accelerated Development, 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol PA 19007-1598, (800) 821-8312. Written in an attempt to counteract the current trend to de-ritualize death and to reinstill a respect for meaningful funeral rituals, it explores the ways in which ceremonies help the bereaved to heal.

Cremation, Paul E. Irion, 1968. Fortress Press, Philadelphia, PA. This book explores all aspects of cremation. Included is information on the history of death, legal and theological considerations, psychological understanding of death and a survey of your personal feelings about death.

Making Loving Memories - a gentle guide to what you can do when your baby dies, Mary Lou Eddy and Linda Raydo, 1990. Centering Corp., 1531 N. Saddle Creek Rd., Omaha, NE 68104-5064, (402) 553-1200. Short pamphlet that outlines important things parents can do to make the most of the time with their baby. It also has guidelines to help make the final farewell more meaningful.

Planning A Precious Goodbye, Sherokee llse and Susan Erling, 1994. A Place to Remember, (800) 631-0973. This booklet offers the bereaved family guidance and specific suggestions for creating a meaningful memorial service for their baby who has died. Readings, poems, songs, Scripture verse, announcement examples and many options are shared. It is practical, comprehensive and sensitive. Published by Wintergreen Press.

Readings for Remembrance: A Collection for Funerals and Memorial Services, Eleanor C. Munro, 2000. Penguin USA. Unique selection of writings to help individuals and communities cope with loss.

Thank You For Coming To Say Goodbye: Involving Children in Funeral Services. Janice L. Roberts, Joy Johnson, Illustrated by Susan Aitken, 1994. Centering Corp., 1531 N. Saddle Creek Rd., Omaha, NE 68104-5064, (402) 553-1200. The first section of the book is for funeral directors and the second part for families and professionals. From suggestions on involving children in the service to helping a child understand death and to survive grief.