National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed every year on October 15. It is a solemn day dedicated to honoring and remembering the lives of babies lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, ectopic pregnancy, or neonatal death, as well as supporting the families who grieve them.

History of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

The roots of this observance lie in efforts during the late 20th and early 21st centuries to break the silence around pregnancy and infant loss. In 1988, U.S. President Ronald Reagan designated October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Later, in 2002, bereaved parents Robyn Bear, Lisa Brown, and Tammy Novak began advocating for a single day of remembrance, which evolved into the observance of October 15. ¹

In 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Concurrent Resolution 222, supporting the goals and ideals of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Over time, the observance gained global recognition: it is now acknowledged in countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and others.

Why is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day important?

Grief from losing a baby—whether before birth or shortly after—is often deeply painful yet isolating. Many bereaved parents feel pressure to remain silent, to “move on,” or to minimize their loss in social settings. This day provides a collective space to acknowledge that pain, validate the emotional experience, and remind families that they are not alone. It helps shift public awareness so that conversations about loss become less taboo and more compassionate.

Beyond emotional support, this observance has a broader social purpose. By drawing attention to the prevalence of pregnancy and infant loss and highlighting gaps in medical care, bereavement support, and public resources, communities and health systems are encouraged to improve protocols—both for prevention and for caring families who navigate this kind of grief. It also fosters solidarity, connecting individuals through shared remembrance, hope, and advocacy.

• It acknowledges and names grief that is often invisible
• It creates shared space for remembrance and healing
• It encourages openness and reduces stigma around loss
• It connects bereaved families across time and place
• It draws attention to medical, emotional, and systemic support needs

How to Observe National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Observance does not require grand acts—small, meaningful rituals can carry great weight. One of the central traditions is the International Wave of Light: at 7:00 pm local time on October 15, people around the world light candles or illuminations and leave them burning for at least an hour, creating a continuous “wave of light” across time zones.

Other ways to observe include participating in or attending remembrance events (vigils, walks, memorial services), sharing stories or names of lost babies, planting a tree or garden in memory, writing letters, making memory artifacts, or offering support to someone grieving. For those less directly impacted, simply reaching out, acknowledging someone’s pain, or sharing resources can be meaningful. Advocacy is also part of the day: urging policy, healthcare providers, and community systems to better support families through loss.

• Light a candle (or illuminate a space) at 7 pm to remember
• Attend or host a vigil, walk, or remembrance gathering
• Plant a tree, garden, or memorial in tribute
• Share a baby’s name or story in memory
• Reach out to or support those who have experienced loss

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Dates Table

1. https://www.october15th.com/[↩]