November 18, 2005

Pediatric memorial service provides comfort and support

Families, friends and members of the MGH staff joined together in the O'Keeffe Auditorium Nov. 14 for the 14th annual Pediatric Memorial Service to honor children who have lost their lives and provide comfort and support to the families and staff who loved them.

The service included readings from parents, siblings and relatives; a naming ceremony, which allowed family members to announce their child's name; and musical performances by choirs from the St. Thomas Villanova Church and the St. Florence Parish (above).

Families also were invited to decorate an oval-shaped piece of fabric in memory of their child. The fabric ovals, (above), were displayed at the service and will be used to make a memory book to be displayed at next year's service.

The service was sponsored by MassGeneral Hospital for Children's Comfort and Support After Loss team, which is comprised of child-life specialists, clergy, nurses, physicians and social workers.