Spiritual Care

Children are encouraged to express their beliefs, spirituality and feelings through a method of sacred storytelling called Godly Play. Our chaplains can initiate these story experiences in a group setting or at your child's bedside Monday - Friday. To request the program, call the Spiritual Care Department.

• Children become fully engaged as they assist the storyteller in the movement of three-dimensional wood figures and felt pieces while listening to a story unfold.
• Patients then have the opportunity to respond to "I wonder" questions, which encourages children to express their thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
• Next is an art activity where they are invited to express themselves. While the artwork is sometimes directly related to the story, creativity and imagination are encouraged.
• Children can also play with the storypieces and retell the story in their own way.

Families experiencing the loss of a child can find support through our professional healing ministry. We understand the grieving process and can support you throughout this challenging journey.

Compassionate presence

• Families are provided time to be with and nurture their child.
• End-of-life support is provided to families by social workers, nurses, chaplains, child life specialists and other professionals who are trained in bereavement support.
• Chaplains can perform rituals such as blessings or baptisms. They may also contact appropriate local spiritual leaders upon the family's request.
• We encourage the involvement of various communities of faith and will assist in any way possible to obtain spiritual and emotional support from a family's church or faith group.

Support Materials

Information is provided to parents about community resources, perinatal loss and more.

Memory Making

Families are given memory boxes containing items that assist the entire family in creating lasting remembrances after a loss.

Tear Catchers Support Groups

For more than 3,000 years, small decorative jars have been used to capture the tears of those mourning the death of someone deeply loved. Recognizing that no one or nothing can stop the flow of tears of a grieving parent, the Tear Catchers program offers two support groups.

Both groups provide parent-to-parent support guided by professional chaplains, social workers and others. Call the Spiritual Care office to confirm dates and times.

Perinatal Support Group
Loss through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn

• 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month
• 7 - 8:30 pm
• All Saints Episcopal Church
• 4171 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville FL

Perinatal Remembrance Event

• Held every October
  Contact Chaplain Linda Rosengren at 904.202.2240

Pediatric Support Group
Loss of an infant, toddler or older child

• 1st Thursday of the month
• 7 - 8:30 pm
• Dreams Come True
• 6803 Southpoint Parkway, Jacksonville FL

Pediatric Remembrance Event

• Held every November or December
  Contact Chaplain Linda Rosengren at 904.202.2240

Follow-Up Care

Parents are automatically placed on our mailing list for one year to receive reminders for groups and events. If your loss occurred at another facility and you'd like to be placed on the list, please contact the Spiritual Care office at the number at the top of the page or via email at Linda.Rosengren@bmcjax.com.