Baby Loss Charity Advocates Personalized Grieving Approaches During Holiday Season

A charity dedicated to supporting individuals through baby loss is advising people that “there is no right or wrong way to deal with grief” during the Christmas period. Aimee Green, founder and chief executive officer of Luna’s Fund, highlighted Christmas as a particularly challenging time of year. She conveyed a message of support, stating, “Whether this is your first or fifth Christmas without your baby, we are sending you so much love and support.” Ms. Green further elaborated, “Everyone has different coping methods for grieving, whether that be hibernating or blending in with family.” Ms. Green established Luna’s Fund, which is located in Plymouth, following her personal experience with baby loss in 2017. She shared her own coping strategies: “For me I find keeping active helps and being outdoors, walking on the beach or exercising.” She reiterated, “There is no right or wrong way to deal with grief and I would say that people should follow whatever seems right for them at the time.” She also affirmed that individuals “are not alone in their grief”. The charity has created a memorial Christmas tree specifically for families affected by baby loss. Ms. Green explained that the organization intends for this to be a place for remembrance, an idea she had “daydreamed about for many years.” She articulated the personal significance, stating, “My daughter Luna was born under a Christmas tree so it was always poignant for me to have one in the office for the personal comfort, but to involve as many families as possible at the same time, because we are never alone.” She further expressed the common concern among parents who have experienced loss: “As a loss parent myself, the biggest fear we have is that people will forget our babies and move on.” She highlighted the limited chances to acknowledge their children: “We don’t often get to write our baby’s name as there are few opportunities when they die.” Consequently, she noted, “This is why we love to create opportunities for the public to say and share their names with the world.” This commemorative tree is located at the fund’s office in Plympton, where families have the option to sponsor a decoration in remembrance. For those impacted by this narrative or seeking assistance, relevant organizations providing help and information are available via the BBC Action Line. Updates from BBC Devon can be followed on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding the BBC’s approach to external linking is also provided.