Candlelight memorial ceremony brings together families in loss

FRUITLAND, Md. -“[It] provides that support to these moms and their families to help them through the grieving process.”

TidalHealth’s Special Treasures Are Remembered program, STAR for short, supports parents and families who have lost a baby. “Women who have losses either through miscarriage or stillbirth or infant loss, needed a great deal of support and getting through that difficult time,” said Claire Wright, the Manager of Labor and Delivery at TidalHealth Penninsula Regional.

On Tuesday night, the candlelight memorial ceremony returned for its 26th year at City Church Fruitland.

“It’s a time where we can gather with all of our families and take a moment to remember and honor these babies that we’ve lost along the years. Some have been coming since the beginning of this program, and they come every single year,” Wright said.

City Church Fruitland Pastor Dana Stauffer said the timing of ceremony during the holiday season is especially meaningful: “It’s very important, especially this time of year. It’s very difficult for people who have lost loved ones, especially a child. And so I think it’s just a really important time to come together…It’s a moving, moving experience.”

Wright noted that those involved with STAR have been thrilled to return to in-person ceremonies on the other side of COVID. “Through COVID, we were not able to have the in-person memorial, which was very, very hard. So last year we were super excited to be able to have our 25th anniversary of it in person.”

The program and the candlelight memorial ceremony try to help parents navigate tragedy through cherished memories and a system of support.

“Grief is not a linear thing. It’s a process that’s unique to every individual,” Wright said.

The STAR program holds a Memory Walk every October, but Tuesday night’s memorial ceremony memorial is the program’s keystone in supporting families.

To donate to the STAR program, you can visit TidalHealth.org/starsupport.