Throughout the year, families are welcome to come to see and spend time in the Gardens. Families are also welcome to have birthday parties, memorial services, or other such events for their lost children. Formally, the Garden hosts two events yearly: the June plant sale and the Wave of Light on October 15th. There are, however, other events throughout the year to remember these children who left us too soon.
August 25, 2024: International Bereaved Father’s Day
Any Location
Every year on the last Sunday in August, International Bereaved Father’s Day honors fathers who have lost a child. When a child dies, a father loses all that he looked forward to in seeing his child grow up and his relationship with that child. This day recognizes the grief and trauma from this loss, as well as providing hope and comfort and recognition. There are many ways to recognize this day: light a candle, attend a support group, connect with other bereaved fathers, and so on.
October: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Any Location
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Declared by Ronald Reagan in 1988, “This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes.”
************
October 15th, 7:00 pm: Wave of Light (ARRIVE AT 6PM)
At the Gardens
The International Wave of Light is an event for loved ones, friends, and supporting organizations (like the Garden of the Sleeping Angels) Considered one of the most bittersweet events held annually, it’s a time for many of us to remember the babies and children who left this world before they had ever seen it. Families and friends remember these little ones and share them with the world. It’s also a time for families to grieve with other parents and families who have been through the same earth-shattering event.
We are proud to be part of the community that never forgets the families; never forgets these beautiful babies and children; and so honored to light over 250 candles. Per our tradition, we’ll video a tour of each garden as we say the names of the little ones memorialized within. Also per tradition, we’ll have a reading of names of babies whom families want to hear their names. Please text Nancy at 612-986-3737 with questions and/or to add a baby’s name to be said aloud. We’re anticipating live harp music (details to follow)!
We’ll ask families and friends to arrive around 6:00PM, as daylight ends at 7:04PM.
October 15th of every year is the Wave of Light. Families around the world light candles in memory of children who left us too soon. Join us to light a candle at 7:00 pm your local time to create a 24-hour wave of light as it moves around the world.
December: Open Visitation
At the Gardens
Every December, we have a Christmas tree that lights up as it gets dark full of the babies’ ornaments. Families are invited to come out anytime to visit the Gardens and the tree. This is an ongoing invitation for families to include their babies in their traditional family gatherings. Families are welcome to create their own events here in the Gardens over the Christmas holiday.
************
December 8, 2024, 7:00 pm: Worldwide Candle Lighting Day
Any location
Every second Sunday in December is the Worldwide Candle Lighting Day. This is a non-religious event wherein families around the world light candles in memory of children who left us too soon. Families light a candle at 7:00 pm their local time, which creates a 24-hour wave of light as it moves around the globe.
You can learn more about this event here.
May 4, 2025: International Bereaved Mother’s Day
Any Location
Every year on the first Sunday in May, International Bereaved Mother’s Day honors mothers who have lost a child. It is also a day to recognize women who cannot be a mother due to infertility or other health reasons. Losing a child is one of the worst traumas we can experience. When a child dies, a mother loses a piece of herself as well as all that she looked forward to in seeing that child grow up and her relationship with that child. There are many ways to recognize this day: light a candle, attend a support group, connect with other bereaved mothers, and so on.
June 2025: Plant Sale
At the Gardens
Every June, we have a plant sale at our on-site gardens. Follow the link below for more information about this event held on June 1st and 2nd, as well as our upcoming Gertens plant fundraiser. Online orders through Gertens Fundraising close on April 1st at 10pm.
July: Bereaved Parents Month
Any Location
July is Bereaved Parents Month. This is a month dedicated to raising awareness of, offering support to, and recognizing a parent’s journey through bereavement after the loss of a child.