Grief, Loss and Remembrance Program
Annual Remembrance Service 2020
Every year, Children's National Hospital honors all children who have died within the past two years. Due to COVID-19, we invited families to join us virtually this year. View messages from our leadership, a musical solo and the reading of children's names by our chaplaincy staff.
Our Chaplaincy Services staff recognizes that when a child dies, families need compassionate and skilled help in their journey through the grieving process. It is the mission of the Grief, Loss and Remembrance Program to provide the following:
Resources for Families
- Memory boxes
- Age-appropriate books for brothers and sisters to help them understand their sibling’s death
- Books and print materials for parents, grandparents and other family and friends
Outreach to Families
- Sympathy cards
- Bi-annual newsletter
- Seasonal mailings with information and memory-making activities
Remembrance Events
- Annual remembrance/memorial service for families who have lost a child
Counseling and Referrals
- One-on-one grief support and community referrals for individual counseling and support
Education and Support for Staff
- To ensure culturally and spiritually competent staff
- To provide one-on-one, as well as unit-based support during times of crisis and/or grief and loss