Victoria will host a remembrance service for bereaved parents, families and friends affected by pregnancy and infant loss.
Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos today invited families to attend the special service to mark Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance on 15 October at Melbourne Museum.
The day is recognised internationally to honour, celebrate and remember babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and other causes.
Pregnancy and infant loss sadly affect hundreds of thousands of people around the world. In Australia, an estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage each year, while more than 3,000 babies die each year from stillbirth, neonatal death, SIDS and other causes.
A loss can deeply impact many in the community as well as parents and siblings – including grandparents, other extended family and close friends.
The Victorian Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Service is hosted by the Victorian Government and Safer Care Victoria, in collaboration with Spiritual Health Association, SANDS, and Red Nose Australia, along with The Women’s Hospital, Monash Health and Mercy Health.
It will be held at the Melbourne Museum on October 15 at 7:00pm with tea and coffee at 8:00pm. It is a child-friendly event. To RSVP, visit
For more information, visit spiritualhealthvictoria.org.au/PregnancyandInfantLoss.
Anyone needing support can contact the SANDS 24/7 Support Line on 1300 072 637 or the Red Nose 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line on 1300 308 307.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos
“The remembrance service gives families a safe space to come together, honour their child and be among others who have gone through a similar grief.”
“Recognition of the loss of a child is a crucial step in starting conversations that help people get the right support. We invite all bereaved families to attend.”
Quote attributable to Red Nose Australia CEO and bereavement counsellor Keren Ludski
“For many parents, their grief can feel unrecognised and unacknowledged, which further adds to the pain and heartache.”
Quote attributable to Sands Australia CEO Jackie Mead
“There’s no time limit on grief. We will celebrate and remember many thousands of babies that have died, no matter the time since their loss.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020