Author Topic: Bereavement gift for parents - opinions please (Read 913 times)

Tiffany · « **on:** September 25, 2012, 03:24:09 PM »

A family in a local NO parish child that died the day he was born. I wanted to make them cross stitch and then (hopefully) find another family that would be willing to frame it. There are lots of birth samplers. I'm not sure what would be appropriate to recognize the birth and the death?

I've seen this done for the parents of two brothers that died and they had the date of birth and death of the brothers with their names and a poem. As a convert I am ignorant of most Catholic things related to birth and death.

Thank you for any ideas.

Loriann · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2012, 09:26:48 PM »

Quote from: Tiffany

A family in a local NO parish child that died the day he was born. I wanted to make them cross stitch and then (hopefully) find another family that would be willing to frame it. There are lots of birth samplers. I'm not sure what would be appropriate to recognize the birth and the death?

I've seen this done for the parents of two brothers that died and they had the date of birth and death of the brothers with their names and a poem. As a convert I am ignorant of most Catholic things related to birth and death.

Thank you for any ideas.

How sad for the family. It is tough that the birth and death were the same day. I have never seen a sampler like that, but I am sure there are a lot of biblical verses to choose from. Good luck. Our family always had masses said, and cooked casseroles, lol. I am sure that however you do it, it will tell them you are thinking of them during this difficult time.

Sigismund · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2012, 09:38:21 PM »

There is no Catholic principle I know of for or against what you propose. I tried to imagine how I would feel if given such a gift after the death of a young child. I can't imagine feeling anything other than appreciative.

poche · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2012, 05:48:56 AM »

Maybe if you could have mass offered for their intention.

momofmany · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2012, 09:30:04 AM »

That would be fine. Another idea would be a memory box. They will receive a lock of hair, hat, pictures etc..of their little one. A decoupaged box with a verse or images of Our Lady or Jesus with the little children to hold these items would be appropriate too.

Tiffany · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2012, 08:47:56 AM »

Thank you so much for the suggestions!!!

I think I'm going go with a regular baby birth sampler. I haven't been able to find a pattern, prayer or poem for both. I don't want to let" perfect be the enemy of good" and end up not doing anything. I can't afford Mass but I will write out a sympathy card to go along with it. The death was expected

so I'm guessing they might already have something like the memory box. That is a great idea.

Thank you again everyone! :)