As the UK observes the annual Baby Loss Awareness Week from 9–15 October, communities across the nation are coming together to break the silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss, writes Sue Reece.
This year’s theme, “Wear, Share, Care,” invites us to look at the physical spaces where grief, history, and enduring love quietly coexist.
In County Durham, the Baby Memorial at Chilton Cemetery stands as a profoundly moving example of a community reclaiming the memory of its forgotten children.
Managed by Chilton Town Council, the historic cemetery on the Old A167 road has provided a peaceful resting place for the area since 1925.
For decades, a deeply painful piece of local history remained hidden within its grounds, until a remarkable archival discovery brought it to light, culminating in a historic blessing by the Bishop of Durham.
Historically, across the UK up until the mid-1980s, practices surrounding neonatal death and stillbirth were starkly different than they are today. Bereaved parents were frequently excluded from funeral arrangements and seldom told where their children were laid to rest.
This painful reality came to the forefront when historical burial records were uncovered.
The documents revealed a heartbreaking truth: a specific communal burial site within Chilton Cemetery was the final resting place for numerous stillborn babies and infants buried in an unmarked grave.
The records showed that these families came not just from Chilton, but from across the wider region. For generations, these children had lain in anonymity, their families denied a specific place to mourn.
Determined to correct this historical injustice, the town council established a permanent, dedicated Baby Memorial providing a final, lasting recognition to the babies who were “born sleeping,” ensuring their memory is permanently etched into the fabric of the community.
The culmination of this emotional journey took place during a special Dedication and Remembrance Service, where the memorial was officially blessed by Rt Rev’d Paul Butler, the Lord Bishop of Durham.
Attended by local families, community members, and town leaders, the service formally sanctified the ground, transforming a site of historical secrecy into a beautiful space of public acknowledgement and shared solace.
No family has to walk the path of grief alone. For those living in Chilton and the wider County Durham area, dedicated local support and specialised services are available to provide comfort:
- County Durham & Darlington NHS Memorial Services: The chaplaincy team at the local NHS trust hosts dedicated Baby Loss Memorial Services during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
- Durham & Wearside Sands: For localised peer-to-peer support, families can connect with the Durham & Wearside Sands Group. Run by dedicated volunteers and bereaved parents, they offer safe, confidential monthly support meetings, letting you share your experience with others who truly understand. You can reach out directly via their Durham & Wearside Sands Facebook Page or by emailing support.duhamwearside[@]sandsvolunteer[.]org[.]uk.
The conclusion of Baby Loss Awareness Week on 15 October is marked globally by the Wave of Light.
At 7pm local time, parents, relatives, and supporters across County Durham and around the world will light a candle and let it burn for at least one hour.
This continuous wave of light serves as a beautiful, glowing testament to the babies carried forever in the hearts of their families.
This week, the Chilton Cemetery Baby Memorial stands as a physical reminder that these babies are no longer forgotten – they are named, they are relevant, and their resting place is sacred.
National confidential support and resources are also available 24/7 through the National Sands Helpline (0808 164 3332).
Sue Reece
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
