MercyOne Genesis Spiritual Care Hosts Open Arms Remembrance Saturday
MercyOne Genesis Spiritual Care will host Open Arms, the annual remembrance service for families who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. The service will be inside the mausoleum at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 19, at Oakdale Memorial Gardens, 2501 Eastern Ave., Davenport.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Every year, thousands of families are devastated by the death of their baby because of miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infancy due to SIDS or other health issues. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared October a month to recognize the unique grief of bereaved parents and families who have had the death of a baby in their lives.
“When I think of the families who have lost a child, I am reminded of the poem ‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer, especially this one portion. ‘For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are a part of us,’” said Jim Hogg, MercyOne Genesis manager of Spiritual Care. “We hope the Open Arms service will help comfort and support these families.”
MercyOne Genesis would also like to thank Oakdale Cemetery for its support in this effort.