A Reading/Poem for Funeral of Stillborn baby girl

[Thirtysix]

My best friend gave birth to a stillborn little girl (India) on Tuesday.I have spent time over the last two days with her,her partner and the baby in the delivery suite.I managed to find a very small babygrow so when they leave her later today she will be "warm".

I needn't say how devastating this is for all of them but they have asked me to read at her funeral.I just wondered if any of you wonderful people know of any lovely poems/readings I may be able to use?

[shabster]

Lis - I just noticed your sad post as well I was in such a rush to get Lottie to put her poem on that I didn't read every post. If you feel it might help you why dont you come and chat on the bereaved mums thread - they are a good bunch of ladies who have all experienced the worse loss anyone can xxx

[AlexanderPandasMum]

Hi,

I am so sorry to hear about India and also wanted to give Lis my condolences too. I have also lost my baby due to preeclampsia in 2005.

I wondered if either of you knew of the SANDS forum (www.sandsforum.org)? It brought me a lot of comfort at the time and I still visit there daily over 3 years on. They have a poems section which is very extensive as you can imagine.

I do know of a beautiful song which is available for free on here www.karentaylorgood.com/free_mp3_downloads.html, called 'Precious Child'.

Hoping that helps.

[cherrymonster]

Quotations When Tomorrow Starts Without Me.

When tomorrow starts without me, and I?m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me,
While thinking of the many things we didn?t get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me, I know you miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand.
And said my place was ready, in heaven, far above,
And that I had to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
For my life had not long started, and I didn?t want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much to learn and do,
It seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the times to come, the good one?s and the bad,
I thought of all the love we?d share, it made me feel so sad.
If I could spend just one day, or even a little while,
I?d tell you how I love you, and show you my big smile.
But then I fully realised, that this could never be,
For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven?s gates, I felt so much at home,
When God looked down and smiled at me, upon his golden throne,
?This is eternity? he said, ?and all I?ve promised you,
Today for life on earth is passed, but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
And since each day?s the same day, there?s no longing for the past.
My child, you were so special, I had to set you free,
So won?t you take my loving hand, and share my life with me??

So when tomorrow starts without me Mummy, don?t think we?re far apart,

For every time you think of me, I?m right here, in your heart.

i have this poem posted on my facebook profile, in memory of my son who was stillborn in 1997. its beautiful

[samman77]

I too lost a daughter to stillbirth only last week Isobel was born at 25 weeks and looks so precious. I have been told by so many people that the pain goes away day by day. But on good friend sent me this message and when i cry i take a moment and look at it and it makes me smile.

i know no words can take away the pain but your little girl will be looked after very well in the spirit world. stay strong.

[SHJJTJ]

I gave birth on 3rd June to my first child, a beautiful boy, who tragically passed away on 5th June. Although he was in special care from birth due to prematurity, no one has any idea what was wrong or why he had such a rapid decline. I am lost. If anyone has been unfortunate enough to experience anything as tragic as this, I would really appreciate hearing from you

[chipmonkey]

SHJJTJ, I am so very sorry for your loss. You are not alone in this. I lost my beautiful girl, Sylvie-Rose to SIDS last October. We had spend 6 weeks in NICU and SCBU and then she died four days after we took her home.
Please join us here on this thread We have all lost children, some in pregnancy, some children and some grown-up children. You are very welcome to join us.

[matildawormwood]

I am so sorry you lost your beautiful boy. I lost my baby boy just over five weeks ago and have recently started posting on the thread that chipmonkey recommends. You will find people who understand there. So sorry xxx

[Izzy88]

Very sorry to hear everyone's lost, I lost my own baby at
16week kept telling myself why me and all my friends just say it gets better,
But I feel lost and seem like no one understand just looking for some support and maybe some that's been throw same thing sorry to ramble. X

[APSamuelM]

I love this poem too. It's my angels funeral in the morning and I'd like to read this one or an angel never dies . Xx

[APSamuelM]

Beautiful poem. I like this. The snowdrop one is lovely also. In fact all the poems on here are very beautiful and very touching xx

[duplodon]

This one is for the parent of a child who has died, maybe not as suitable for the reading but for your friend: mendingbabyloss.org/2010/11/16/for-the-parent-on-the-death-of-a-child-john-odonahue/

[DTroop]

Hi,
I have been reading through all of this and it's lovely. My brother in law and his partner had to terminate there daughter at 26 weeks. She had to give birth naturally also.
We have her funeral next Friday and I'm struggling to get some type of keep sake. My staff at work have collected money to get them something.
Any ideas at all.

May I also say the Snowdrop poem is amazing :-)

Thank You xx

[HWessel1]

"The child was a gift. The grief does not smother the gratitude. And death..is not the end. We grieve, but not as those who have no hope. Yet none says that since death is not the end, we should not grieve. Though grief does not smother hope, neither does hope smother grief."

Nicholas Wolterstorff, from This Incomplete One

I also like this one:

So go and run free

So go and run free with the angels
Dance around the golden clouds
For the lord has chosen you to be with him
And we should feel nothing but proud
Although he has taken you from us
And our pain a lifetime will last
Your memory will never escape us
But make us glad for the time we did have
Your face will always be hidden
Deep inside our hearts
Each precious moment you gave us
Shall never, ever depart
So go and run free with the angels
As they sing so tenderly
And please be sure to tell them
To take good care of you for me

Author unknown.

There are other stillborn poems here and also here

[HWessel1]

I also wanted to add this one I found. I hope you find some comfort in this:
Look for me in Rainbows

Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.
In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, and I'll be close to you.

It won't be forever, the day will come and then
My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.

Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.
Every waking moment, and all your whole life through
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Just wish me to be near you,
And I'll be there with you.

Music and lyrics: Conn Bernard

[EssexCat]

We had a reading from the Velveteen Rabbit about what 'real' meant. Was beautiful.

Much much love to your friend. It is just horrendous, but 9 years on I feel like I've truly come out the other side. Xxxxxc

[EssexCat]

Sorry -
Just realised this is a thread from years ago.

[HWessel1]

I am so sorry. Be kind to yourself.

A butterfly lights beside us

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam, and for a
brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world:
but then it flies again. And though we wish it could
have stayed, we feel so lucky to have seen it.

Author Unknown

[PerspicaciaTick]

I am sorry that your friends have lost their lovely India.

You might like to think about pointing them towards Saying Goodbye www.sayinggoodbye.org/ which organise remembrance services for families who have lost children before and after birth. They also have an active FB community.

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.
Washington Irving