Baby Loss Remembrance Services To Be Held In Barrow And Lancaster
Families across Cumbria and Lancashire who have experienced baby loss are being invited to attend special remembrance services in Barrow and Lancaster, offering time for reflection and support.
The annual services are organised by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) and are open to anyone affected by the loss of a baby or child. They provide an opportunity for parents, relatives and friends to remember loved ones in a supportive environment, regardless of when the loss occurred. The events are intended to recognise that grief can continue for many years and that families may value opportunities to remember their children.
The Lancaster service will take place at 2pm on Sunday, 22 November 2026, at St Thomas' Church on Marton Street. A separate remembrance gathering in Barrow-in-Furness is scheduled for 6.30pm on Wednesday, 2 December, at the chapel at Furness General Hospital. Both events are open to members of the public, and families do not need to have experienced a recent loss to attend.
The services will include Christian readings and prayers, although people of all faiths and beliefs, as well as those with no religious affiliation, are welcome. Attendees will be able to participate in the ceremonies in whichever way feels comfortable to them. The gatherings are designed to provide a peaceful setting where people can reflect on their experiences and find reassurance in being surrounded by others who understand the impact of losing a child.
One of the key parts of the services will be an opportunity to light a candle in memory of a baby or child who has died. Families will also be invited to write their baby's name on a memory tree, creating a lasting tribute and allowing parents and relatives to acknowledge the children they continue to remember. These activities are intended to provide a personal way for people to express their feelings and take part in the remembrance ceremonies.
Amy Bland, chaplain at UHMBT, said the services were intended to give bereaved families a place to remember their babies, particularly as Christmas approaches. She acknowledged that the festive period can be emotionally difficult for people who have experienced loss, even when wider society places an expectation on everyone to celebrate. The gatherings will allow families to attend regardless of how they are feeling and spend time remembering their children.
The annual remembrance events are part of the wider support provided by the trust's chaplaincy and bereavement services. They are not limited to parents who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby within the previous year. People who experienced a loss many years ago are also encouraged to attend, recognising that bereavement can remain an important part of family life long after the initial event.
UHMBT's chaplaincy team provides opportunities for families to remember loved ones through services held at different times of the year. The trust recognises that people experience grief in different ways and that having a dedicated space for reflection can be valuable. The remembrance gatherings also allow people to connect with others who have faced similar experiences, helping reduce the feeling of isolation that can accompany bereavement.
Families wishing to attend either service can do so without needing to share their personal experiences publicly. The events are intended to be welcoming and inclusive, allowing people to remember in a way that feels appropriate to them. Further information about bereavement and chaplaincy support is available through University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.
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