Compassionate Care for Families Experiencing Infant Loss at Riverside Healthcare

Losing a baby is one of the hardest experiences any family can face. At Riverside Healthcare, the mission is clear. Nurses, chaplains, and care teams work to provide comfort, compassion, and connection for parents during this time. Here, we turn to the expertise of Reverend Marsha Collins, Director of Pastoral Care. We also consult with Tammy Mylcraine, a Labor and Delivery nurse at the Riverside Family Birthing Center. The two discuss how their teams help families cope with infant loss.

Providing Presence and Comfort

Tammy Mylcraine has cared for families at Riverside for more than three decades. She shares that the most important thing her team offers is presence. “We provide one-to-one nursing care so we can spend as much time as possible with our patients and their families.” The goal is to give families space and time to say goodbye in their own way.

Riverside offers items that help parents create lasting memories. These include memory boxes, hand and foot molds, locks of hair, and photographs. Families can also use a Cuddle Cot. This is a special cooling device that allows them to keep their baby close for as long as they wish. “Leaving the hospital without a live infant is something no parent wants to experience,” Mylcraine states. “These small, tangible gifts provide both validity and something they can take home rather than empty arms.”

Riverside helps families access grief materials and connect with social services. When desired, they receive a birth certificate after stillbirth, made possible by Liam’s Law. Every family’s situation is unique, and the care team works to tailor support with that in mind.

Spiritual and Emotional Support

Families requesting spiritual care receive chaplain support 24/7. “Every person and every loss is unique,” notes Collins. “When I walk into a room, I don’t come with an agenda. I come to listen and be present.”

That presence often includes recognizing the baby’s life and importance. “I always look into the face of the infant,” she adds. “I want to communicate to the parents that I see their baby and how precious they are.”

Pastoral Care also offers blessings, naming ceremonies, and memorial services. Each focuses around the family’s wishes and beliefs. These moments often include keepsakes like certificates or small tokens. Such items remind families their baby has love and will always live in remembrance.

Honoring and Healing Together

Riverside also hosts biannual memorial services to honor loved ones—from infants to older adults. Families can bring photos, small mementos, or written tributes to share. “The most important thing about the memorial service is community,” Collins offers. “Everyone there is remembering someone they love. That shared experience brings comfort.”

The health system invites families through letters or direct contact from the hospital. But, there is no time limit on participation. “There’s no time limit on grief,” Collins emphasizes. 

A Message of Compassion

Collins and Mylcraine reinforce that families are never alone. “There is help and support,” Mylcraine assures. “We are here to provide the best possible care so families can take next steps.” Collins adds, “We’re here with a heart. Many of us have walked this path, too. We want to be there for families in whatever way they need.”

For more information about pastoral care, memorial services, or bereavement support, visit riversidehealthcare.org.