Poems for Infant Loss

From LoveToKnow Dying

Poems for infant loss give a grieving parent some comfort after the death of their precious baby. These poems can be enclosed in a sympathy letter or card, handed out at the funeral or given during a private one-on-one visit with the family. These verses can also be placed in a scrapbook or photo album, or used as part of memorial website.

infant loss poem

What to Look for in a Poem

Poems about the loss of a baby should not only exude sympathy, but hope as well. When an infant dies, the parents -- specifically the mother -- need as much support as they can get. Sympathy poems for infant loss should:

  • Acknowledge the baby's death
  • Express sympathy
  • Be simple and lighthearted
  • Not make jokes about the death
  • Not offer false hope
  • Avoid cliches
  • Be appropriate for the family (e.g. non-religious poem for atheist parents)
  • Not be wordy or too long in length
  • Include a personal note if sent as part of a condolence letter or card
  • Focus only on the family and baby who died
  • Not be copyrighted material that is unable to be reproduced or copied

Finding Poems for Infant Loss

The Internet is a great source for finding original poems about the loss of an infant, no matter the age or cause of death.

Miscarriage

While a miscarried baby may not technically be called an infant, in a parent's eyes, they are one in the same. Some verses specific to miscarriage include:

Stillbirth

When an infant dies from stillbirth, poems not only bring healing to the grieving parent, but some hope as well. Many times, there is no known cause of death for an infant who is born still. This "not knowing" causes the parent even more grief and heartache, not to mention guilt. Some poems about stillbirth include:

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Each year, more than 2,500 infants die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. What's even more staggering is that in most of these unexpected deaths, there is no cause. If you know of a family who trying to come to terms with the sudden death of their infant, you can find a large selection of sympathetic and emotional poetry on these websites:

Illness or Other Reason

Infants can also die in a number of other ways including birth defects, illnesses, accidents or, unfortunately, foul play. However, don't be afraid to send poetry to these families too, as they are also overcome with grief. You can find some loving verses on a few websites including:

Write Your Own Poem

If you are especially close to the parents who are grieving over the death of their infant son or daughter, take it upon yourself to write a few verses. More than anything, these words should come from the heart. If possible, include the infant's name in the poem and any relevant information that will help the parents remember their child in a positive way. Handwritten, original poems will mean more to the family, too, than something found on the Internet or in a book.

A Word of Caution

You should always use a lot of sensitivity when giving poems for infant loss. While your intentions may be good when presenting the grieving parents or family members these verses, many times the words themselves can cause the bereaved to grieve even more. However, if the poems chosen are given at the right time with the right intentions, the bereaved family will be more than thankful.

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