Janne-Lilli died in 22th week of pregnancy. She was buried in the family grave. Her parents and father’s parents joined the ceremony. On their way to the graveyard a neighbour gave them some flowers as last regards. 10.11.2017 in Hamburg, Germany

Parents try to capture the first and last footprint of her daughter. She died in 22th week of pregnancy. 8.11.2017 in Hamburg, Germany

In her daily life Heike is working as a stonecutter. She loves to work also with felt, creates small cocoon coffins and organizes collective funerals for stillborn babies. 26.2.2018 in Langenhagen, Germany

Some communities or hospitals organize collective funerals for stillborn babies as an unpaid service. In a few cities the funerals take place every month, at other places parents have to wait up to 12 months to the next ceremony. Half-a-year ceremony with about 40 families in Hannover, Germany, 26.10.2018

Portrait of Janne-Lilli, a stillborn girl. She died in 22th week of pregnancy. Her mother crocheted a tiny cap for her. At her funeral both parents wore a colourful cap on their way to the grave. 8.11.2017 in Hamburg, Germany

 

Shortly after birth the siblings can sit in their leave-taking of their sister Phine. She died a couple of minutes after birth. The family knew before that she will die but they decided to give her the time of pregnancy as a present. 25.3.2018 in Höxter/Hoexter, Germany

After having a stillborn baby, Helena is hoping that every­thing might go well with her next pregnancy. The family moved to a new flat. Their boy will be born healthy some months later. 10.4.2019 in Hannover, Germany
 

A group of women meets to sew clothes for stillborn and premature babies as an honorary work. There are many sewing groups and hundreds of mostly women allover Germany. Several organizations store the clothes and distribute them without any costs for parents and hospitals. 5.11.2017 in Seevetal, Germany

Midwife Birgit at her home: »I like to accompany parents during a stillbirth, you can help them to have a good leave-taking.« Several years she lived in Africa with her family. Just a couple of years ago she finished her apprenticeship as a midwife. 14.3.2018 in Celle, Germany

Marleen was five years old when her brother Hannes was born still. She asked her mother if she can keep the rabbit her mother had crocheted. When she was born her mother did the same to her. The rabbit for her brother has closed eyes, although nobody knew about his short life at that time. As an alternative present for her brother she and her auntie sewed a star. 2.2.2019 in Harz, Germany

Christening of Charlotte. She is born healthy after the loss of a stillborn boy. 8.3.2020 in Harz, Germany

21 years after the stillbirth of their daughter Sophie her grave was closed. So the parents took her gravestone home and found a place in their garden. 22.4.2019 in Hamburg, Germany