When I was planning Adrian’s Funeral, I found very few resources for planning the funeral of a child. As a companion to the post on “Planning a Funeral for Your Infant Child,” and in conjunction with other bereaved parents, I am providing sample funeral documents below.
Related: Planning your Child’s Funeral or Memorial Service
Related: Resources for Bereaved Parents and Families
Related: Resources for Bereavement Coordinators
If you would you like your own documents to be posted here, please email [email protected].
Sample Obituary for an Infant Child
Text of Adrian’s Obituary:
Adrian James Hernandez, June 30, 2017 – June 30, 2017
Adrian James Hernandez was born silent into this world on June 30, 2017, but his little life spoke volumes. Adrian spent only a moment in her arms but he is forever in the heart of his mother, Miranda Hernandez. A visitation will begin on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00am with a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m. at [location].
“I carried you every second of your life & will love you every second of mine.”
—
Text of an Child’s Obituary, contributed by Raf Young:
Baby [name], beloved [first/second etc] daughter/son of Mum and Dad and brother/sister to [siblings] (include grandparents, especially but not only if this was their first grandbaby) was born sleeping on [date] at [hospital]. Our lives were touched by her struggle to be here/the joyful surprise that we got to know him at all. Please keep us in your thoughts as we prepare for his funeral/coming to terms with our lives here without her.
There will be a funeral service for close family only/everyone his little life touched/a memorial at the perinatal hospice service chapel on [date]. Family flowers only, if you wish to make a donation in her name we have been so well cared for by the hospice/[insert appropriate organisation here].
Sample Funeral Invitation
Announcement/Invitation to Adrian’s Funeral:
One week ago today at a routine check-up, I discovered my baby’s heart had stopped beating in the middle of the night. I was 41 weeks pregnant.
Baby Adrian James Hernandez was born sleeping at 3:31pm on 30 June 2017. He was 9lb, 0oz, and 22 inches long. As far as the doctors can tell, he was perfect; they couldn’t find any reason.
I miss him with every piece of my heart.
If you are local to San Antonio, there will be a memorial service at 11am next Tuesday, 11 July at the [location] at [address]. Visitation will be held the hour prior, from 10am-11am.
I am off of Facebook for now, but I will remain available by email.
-Miranda
—
Invitation to Evan’s Memorial:
Sample Funeral Program for a Child
Word version of Adrian’s Funeral Program
PowerPoint of Adrian’s Funeral Program
—
Evan’s Memorial Program
Word Version of Evan’s Memorial Program
Sample Eulogy for a Infant Child
Adrian’s Eulogy by aunt “Alexis”
Adrian’s Eulogy by mother Miranda
Adrian’s Second Eulogy by mother Miranda
—
Evan’s Eulogy by mother Meredith
Evan’s Eulogy by mother Meredith
—
Daniel’s Eulogy by mother Christy
Sample Religious Services for a Child
Sermon in honor of Daniel by mother Christy
Ideas for Funeral Music
Things to Hand out or Release at a Child’s Funeral
Balloons (caution for environmental reasons)
Bubbles/bubble bottles
Butterflies (caution for biological and environmental reasons)
Paper lanterns (caution for fire and/or environmental reasons)
Seeds/seed packets
Wish paper (can be burned in a candle flame)
Wishes on paper, to burn in a bonfire
Related Posts:
Adrian’s Story: Adrian’s Funeral
Resources Blog: Planning a Funeral for Your Infant Child
