Open Arms service from MercyOne Genesis remembers infant loss

Families who have lost an infant can remember them at an annual memorial service in Davenport.

MercyOne Genesis Spiritual Care is hosting Open Arms, an annual remembrance service for families who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. The service will be at Oakdale Memorial Gardens, 2501 Eastern Avenue in Davenport, inside the mausoleum, on Saturday, October 19 at 10 a.m.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. President Ronald Reagan designated October as a month to recognize the grief of bereaved parents and families who have lost a baby in their lives in 1988. Every year, thousands of families are devastated by the death of babies due to miscarriage or stillbirth or in early infancy due to SIDS or other health issues.

“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 one portion.  ‘For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are a part of us,’” said Jim Hogg, MercyOne Genesis manager of Spiritual Care. “We hope the Open Arms service will help comfort and support these families.”

Call (563) 421-7970 or email Jessica McClellan at Jessica.McClellan@mercyone.org for more information about the service.

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