SPONSORED: Celestial Cradles offers infant burial services for small loved ones

Patti Adams found herself living every mother’s worst fear when she learned her unborn daughter was not going to survive long after birth. “On July 22, 1988, I found myself being quickly ushered into my OB-GYN's office after what I thought was a routine ultrasound during my seventh month of pregnancy,” Adams said. “I still remember well many of the thoughts that ran through my mind when the doctor shared with us the new developments in the most recent ultrasound: our unborn daughter had serious birth defects that were most likely not compatible with life. “Two weeks later we were dealing with the shock well enough to begin planning our painful future. Because I didn't want to have to make funeral arrangements after she was gone, my husband and I visited the local mortuary to find the answers to so many questions we had. A few short minutes after being seated, we were presented with our choice for a casket. It amounted to nothing more than a cardboard box. I was heartsick.

“Seeing my reaction, my husband drove me to the local lumber store to choose wood for our baby’s casket. Over the next six weeks my husband could be found every evening after work in the garage, working carefully at creating Adriana's ‘cradle.’ It looked like a hope chest—a special place where one would store treasures. It was perfect and beautiful.

“Before leaving for the hospital the morning of Adriana's birth, together my husband and I lined her ‘hope chest.’ Later that evening our daughter was born. She lived eight precious hours. I loved her during those hours as much as I possibly could. I memorized every feature of her face. After she was gone, I entrusted her to the caring nurses.”

Because of her appreciation for the feelings of parents who find themselves in a similar situation, Adams thought what she learned might help other grieving parents who find themselves thrust into a similar situation.

With this desire in mind, she created Celestial Cradles, a family-owned company that provides infant burial cradles, burial clothing, memory books, blankets and keepsake gifts. She also created a not-for-profit website, Infant Loss Support Services, that offers information and help for families who are faced with the loss of a newborn or infant.

Nothing can take away the pain and grief of losing a baby, but finding answers to questions and being assisted through the process can help put parents on the road to healing.

For more information, visit Celestial Cradles and Infant Loss Support Services.

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