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Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (organization)

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Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is an American charitable organization operating worldwide, described as "a volunteer network dedicated to photographing dead and dying infants",[1] which "provides free professional portraits to families suffering a stillbirth or early infant loss."[2] Grieving families receive "heirloom photos" at "no charge".[3]

Organizational history

Founded in 2005 in Colorado by photographer Sandy Puc' and parents Cheryl and Mike Haggard[4] whose baby died as an infant,[2] the organization is now active in all 50 states, plus 40 other countries,[5] such as Ireland[6] and Canada.[7]

The group has 3000 volunteer photographers around the world[6] and has provided services to more than 30,000 families.[2] The group is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado.

Cultural context

In the late 19th century, post-mortem photography was popular and culturally accepted, though it fell out of style early the next century. This cultural shift was accompanied by a rejection of emotional bonding with stillborn babies, and infants who had died. One journalist observed "In years past, stillbirths and other perinatal deaths were swept under the carpet. Mothers did not see their children, and were urged not to dwell on them or their deaths."[7]

Change in attitudes began in the 1970s and 1980s, and "the medical and psychological thinking about stillbirth began to evolve when researchers started studying the impact of a baby's death and parents began telling their stories. From silence and detachment came acknowledgment and remembrance."[8]

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is part of this increased concern for the emotional needs of grieving parents.[9] Describing their photos, one mother wrote "They are not gruesome, they are not offensive, they are not graphic, nor are they violent". She went on to say "They are real life, in all its beauty and agony."[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ Simon, Stephanie (November 21, 2007). "Capturing final, precious moments". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Ivens, Sarah (November 25, 2015). "Photos helps grieving moms remember lost babies". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  3. ^ Cacciatore, Joanne; DeFrain, John (2015). The World of Bereavement: Cultural Perspectives on Death in Families. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 281. ISBN 9783319139456.
  4. ^ Allen, Samantha (October 11, 2015). "These Photos Healed Parents Of Stillborns". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  5. ^ Forgany, Sarah (November 15, 2015). "Remembrance photos help families cope with stillbirth". KENS 5. San Antonio. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  6. ^ a b McMahon, Aine (January 11, 2015). "Charity offers remembrance photos for bereaved parents: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep gives service to parents who have suffered loss of baby". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Deachman, Bruce (August 3, 2015). "Photographers give grieving parents something to hold onto". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  8. ^ Kalb, Claudia (February 8, 2009). "Stillbirths: How a New Openness Helps Parents Cope". Newsweek. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  9. ^ Ohikere, Onize (October 31, 2015). "Photographer Michelle Warren captures first and final moments". World. Asheville, North Carolina. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  10. ^ Earl, Jennifer (October 2, 2015). "Mom makes emotional plea to parents after daughter is stillborn". CBS News. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
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