A SERVICE of remembrance for those affected by baby loss is being held this weekend.

The ‘saying goodbye’ services – run by charity The Mariposa Trust to help all families, couples, and individuals affected by the loss of a baby – have been put on hold for the last two years due to the Covid pandemic.

There will be one, open to people from South Wales, at Cardiff’s Llandaff Cathedral from 11am on Saturday, November 20.

It is open to people of all faiths, or with not faith, who have been affected by baby loss at any point in their lives; there will be music, poems, acts of remembrance and more.

The Mariposa Trust, which run the ‘saying goodbye’ services was founded by Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates, who suffered the loss of five babies and saw a lack of support for parents like them.

Zoe Clark-Coates MBE said: "Our services are a wonderful opportunity for mothers, fathers, siblings and extended family to say goodbye to their babies and show they are truly loved and will always be missed.

“It’s our job at the Mariposa Trust to ensure every child is recognised, however fleeting their existence. We invite anyone who has gone through or been affected by baby loss, to join us for this special event.”

Baby loss affects around one in four pregnancies each year in the UK and can have a hugely negative impact on those affected. The services allow people to stand with others who have experienced the similar trauma of baby loss, and collectively acknowledge and remember each life lost.

A parent who attended one of the ‘saying goodbye’ services said: “The service gave me the time and space to formally recognise all of my babies and the experience of being with people who knew how it felt was a real strength.

“As I stood with other parents and proudly rang the bell for my 14 babies, I felt unbearable sadness but also a great privilege in being able to properly celebrate their existence.

“For the first time, I felt my tears of grief, loss and love were allowed, shared and understood.”

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