In Bismarck, North Dakota, Sanford Health continues its annual tradition of providing a compassionate space for families who have experienced infant or pregnancy loss. Every year on October 15, the health system holds an infant committal and remembrance service at Fairview Cemetery, aligning with Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month.
Why the service matters
One in four women will face pregnancy or infant loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ceremony acknowledges that grief is a natural response and that families deserve a place to remember the unborn children they loved, regardless of gestational age.
“Understanding how many people are actually affected by this, having some of those conversations and knowing that it’s not wrong to feel grief over that loss, it’s okay to have those feelings, and to know that you have a space that you can go and remember them,” said Natasha Hildebrand, Bereavement Coordinator at Sanford Health Bismarck.
Personal stories of loss and hope
Breanna Forester, a local resident, shared her experience of three miscarriages. “My babies were eight, nine, ten weeks gestation, but they were still mine and I still saw their heartbeat. That was important. It was special. I loved them, even if it was just for a short amount of time,” she said. Forester emphasized that every loss, whether an early miscarriage or a stillbirth, deserves recognition and support.
After her miscarriages, Forester and her husband went on to have three living children, yet they have never forgotten the embryos they chose not to use. In 2022, the family laid those embryos to rest at the Garden of Peace in Fairview Cemetery, a quiet spot that now serves as a focal point for remembrance.
Details of the upcoming ceremony
The 2026 service will take place on Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery. Families are invited to bring photos, mementos, or simply their thoughts to honor the unborn children. The ceremony includes a brief committal, a moment of silence, and an opportunity for attendees to share reflections if they wish.
Sanford Health’s bereavement team will be on hand to provide counseling resources and answer questions about ongoing support groups. The organization hopes the event will not only offer immediate comfort but also foster a longer‑term network of families who understand one another’s grief.
Community impact
By holding the service locally, Sanford Health underscores the importance of community‑based healing. The event reminds residents that grief is not a private burden to bear alone; it is a shared experience that can be addressed through faith, family, and compassionate care.
Local churches and faith‑based groups have expressed support for the ceremony, noting that honoring the dignity of each unborn child aligns with Christian teachings on the sanctity of life. Parents attending the service often cite the reassurance that their loss is seen, remembered, and respected.
How to participate
Families interested in attending should contact Sanford Health’s Bereavement Services at (701) 555‑1234 or visit the Sanford Health website for registration details. The ceremony is open to anyone who has experienced loss, and there is no cost to attend.
As Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month continues, Sanford Health encourages the broader community to spread awareness, offer empathy, and support families navigating one of life’s most painful journeys.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
