It’s a loss most people can’t imagine going through — the loss of a baby or young child.

There are few things more tragic than a life cut short. But some women are stepping up to provide grieving families what little closure they can.

The Angel Gown Project

Through hundreds of local tailors, seamstresses, quilters, and crafters, the Angel Gown project may take many shapes but they all use the same beautiful idea.

Angel Gowns are burial gowns made for newborns, infants, and young children through the donation of old wedding dresses. Though it’s unclear where the movement began, there are now groups in Seattle, Washington; Fort Worth, Texas; Garden City, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; and many other places that perform this service free of charge and donate the gowns to families who need it most.

Each wedding dress that is used to make these gowns is donated as well, so even if you don’t know how to sew, you can get involved with this project by donating your old wedding dress or another formal gown to an Angel Gowns maker in your area.

How Your Funeral Home Can Help

There is nothing that can erase the grief parents feel when they lose a child, but small gestures like this can make all the difference. If your funeral home is serving a family who has recently lost a child, there is a good chance you can find an Angel Gowns provider in your area by searching online.

Here are some other ways funeral directors can show they care:

• Suggest one of these baby loss books for bereaved parents.
• Consider reducing the cost of the funeral, or suggesting financial assistance from organizations like the TEARS Foundation.
• Read these tips to help families who have dealt with pregnancy and infant loss.
• Suggest support groups specifically for the loss of a child in your area.

Have you helped bereaved parents in the past? What are some things you have done for them to help them grieve and cope? Let us know in the comments below!