Muslim baby loss support packs

Muslim parents who suffer baby loss at Walsall Manor Hospital will receive personalised support packs, thanks to the efforts of two charities.

The Blackburn UK Trust has donated Muslim baby loss support packs through Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity.

The packs are to specifically support Muslim parents and their families following the loss of a baby. It is a tool/resource to support them with their cultural and religious beliefs and needs.

The packs contain:

• White cotton cloth to shroud the baby
• A black scarf for the mother
• A white prayer cap for the father
• Prayer beads
• Prayer mats
• Soap and oil for bathing baby
• Islamic bereavement support book

Laura Atkinson is the Specialist Bereavement Midwife at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.

She is the service lead for Bereavement Services in Maternity, Gynaecology and Neonatal and provides bereavement care and support to parents and their families following the loss of their baby at any gestation.

She said: “The packs offer something personalised to Muslim families as per their religious and cultural needs and beliefs. Often, baby loss memory boxes are Christian based and do not support the needs of other cultures.

“The packs also help to teach staff regarding Islamic customs and what is needed following the loss of a baby. It will help to support the staff that may not be familiar with the customs or traditions of this culture.”

She added: “Often these packs are created or made up by volunteers who give their own time to support bereaved parents and their families. We are always looking at ways we can personalise care and meet the needs of everyone. These packs are helping us to do just that and show how important a person’s cultural and religious needs are.”

Kimberley Aplin, Fundraising Support Officer said: “Thank you to Blackburn UK Trust for supplying these packs to us. These will make a massive difference to the care of our Muslim parents and families affected by baby loss.”