The devastation of pregnancy and infant loss is a pain like no other for a parent or guardian, and for their family and friends.
It's something acknowledged by Pregnancy an Infant Loss Remembrance Day, which is observed on 15 October each year.
It marks a day of remembrance for those who have endured the pain of pregnancy loss and infant death, including miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons and the death of a newborn.
To observe the day each year, Wollongong Memorial Gardens holds a special remembrance service alongside the Baby Memorial Garden within Wollongong Cemetery as a mark of respect and recognition.
Sadly, many babies were buried in Wollongong Cemetery from the 1930s to the late 1960s without records kept of the location of the grave sites. The yearly memorial service came about to give these parents and family an opportunity to come together and honour and remember their babies, alongside the Memorial Garden dedicated to them.
A celebrant will conduct the small, intimate service and there will be opportunity for attendees to lay carnation flowers at the Memorial Garden or individual sites if they are known.
Parents who know that their baby is buried in Wollongong Cemetery but cannot identify the actual site can place a bronze plaque in the Stillborn Memorial Garden to commemorate their baby.
Everyone is welcome to attend the service.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said it is important people dealing with such grief are aware that there is love and support available.
"The pain of infant or pregnancy loss is unimaginable for many, but it is unfortunately more common than people might think, and as I know personally it never goes away," Cr Brown said.
"It is a fact acknowledged by Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, and remembrance sites like the Baby Memorial Garden at Wollongong Cemetery.
"We extend the invitation to the special memorial service to anyone dealing with this loss and let them know it is not something they need to suffer in silence or experience alone."
