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Bereavement Services

Bereavement

Infant bereavement support 

Compassionate care and guidance for families experiencing the loss of a baby

 The loss of a baby is a profound and deeply personal grief. Whether through miscarriage, stillbirth or the loss of a newborn, families may find themselves facing emotions that feel overwhelming, isolating and difficult to express. In these moments, it is important to know you are not alone.

 

At St. Tammany Health System, we are honored to walk alongside families during life’s most difficult experiences. Our Infant Bereavement Program offers compassionate support, gentle guidance and meaningful resources to help parents and loved ones begin to heal in their own time and in their own way.

 

Grief can take many forms, and there is no “right” way to mourn. What matters most is having space, understanding and support. Through this program, our team is here to help families honor their babies, navigate their loss and find moments of light along the way. 

Caring Cradle

This video introduces the Caring Cradle, a meaningful addition to St. Tammany Health System that supports families experiencing the loss of a baby. The Caring Cradle is a specialized device that gently cools, allowing families the invaluable gift of time to remain with their baby, create memories, and begin the grieving process without feeling rushed. By offering this resource, St. Tammany Health System reinforces its commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care during life’s most difficult moments.

Kristi Lamarque-Bordelon, MSN RNC-OB

Kristi Lamarque is a dedicated nurse, educator, and community advocate based in St. Tammany Parish. With a strong clinical background and a passion for compassionate, patient-centered care, she has served in roles including Charge Nurse and Nursing Instructor, where she mentors and develops the next generation of healthcare professionals.


Kristi is especially known for her work in perinatal bereavement support. She founded the first support group in St. Tammany Parish for families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss—creating a safe space for healing and connection. She is also an advocate for expanding access to resources such as Caring Cradles, helping ensure that families are given time, dignity, and compassionate care during loss. She was the co-author of the bill SB 32, “Angel’s Law.”


Kristi has been recognized numerous times in her career. She was a 2024 Daisy Award winner and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing Clinical Nurse of the Year 2024. She was named the Northshore District Nurses’ Association Outstanding Nurse in 2023. She has also served as an Ambassador at St. Tammany Health System.


To contact Kristi, please email her at klamarque@stph.org or call (985) 898-4556.

Support group at St. Tammany Health System

 

Our STHS bereavement support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Madisonville Room at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. Everyone is welcome no matter where you delivered or when your loss occurred. Informational flyer can be found HERE.

Caring Cradle

The Caring Cradle gives the family the gift of time to be with their baby after loss. The earliest moments following the death of a baby are a precious time to bond and to mourn the loss. The Caring Cradle is a specialized cradle that offers cooling, allowing families to avoid being rushed into separation from their baby. Learn more at CaringCradle.com.

What to expect 

A step-by-step guide to St. Tammany Health System’s bereavement care process

 During this difficult time, our team is here to walk alongside you with compassion, respect and care. While every family’s experience is unique, the following outlines how we support you and your loved ones during your time with us.


When we are notified a family will be arriving with a loss, we begin by preparing a private patient room designed to feel calm, quiet and welcoming. Our goal is to give you and your family a peaceful space where you can gather, reflect and process at your own pace.

Once you are settled, your care team will gently review the plan of care with you. Our interdisciplinary team works together to ensure you receive thoughtful, coordinated support focused on your comfort and well-being.

 

Our bereavement team will then walk you through the options available to help you honor your baby and create meaningful keepsakes. These may include handprints and footprints, photographs, clothing or blankets, and other personalized mementos.

We will also talk with you about the Caring Cradle, a special resource that allows families additional time with their baby in the privacy of their room. This can provide a meaningful opportunity for bonding, reflection and memory-making.

 

When you are ready, our team will help guide you through next steps, including funeral home arrangements. We approach these conversations with sensitivity and will support you in making the decisions that feel right for your family.

 

 

  • We recognize the importance of honoring your cultural and spiritual needs. Our chaplain team is available to offer support, and we are happy to coordinate with your pastor or spiritual leader if you prefer. Throughout your time with us, we will take time to listen and understand what matters most to you, so we can personalize your care in a way that reflects your wishes.

 


The care we provide does not end when you leave the hospital. We will provide information on counseling and grief support services, including connections to trusted community partners who can continue to support you in the days and weeks ahead. 

 

Hunter & Sierra Smith's Story

 

Grief and gratitude: One bereaved couple’s story

 

For Hunter and Sierra Smith, the compassionate care they received at St. Tammany Health System was an unexpected source of uplift during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

 

 

 

Miscarriage Education

 

Miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy at less than 20 weeks’ gestation. The statistics show that 1:4 pregnancies can result in a miscarriage. There are several possible causes of miscarriage, but the exact cause may not be identified. Further testing may help you and your physician determine how this may affect future pregnancies.

Coping with a miscarriage loss can be very difficult. The emotional impact may take longer to overcome than the physical aspect of healing. Following a loss, feelings of sadness, anger, disbelief, loneliness, and guilt are all normal feelings to experience. Expressing these feelings allows for healing to occur.

 

Stillbirth Education

 

Stillbirth is defined as the birth of a baby who is born with no signs of life at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stillbirth in the United States happens approximately 6 times in every 1000 births. Improved prenatal care has dramatically reduced the rate of stillbirth in the United States. There are several possible causes for a stillbirth to occur.

Coping after a stillbirth can be very difficult and feel incredibly isolating. Seek support and share your feelings to gain a deeper understanding of your experience. Physical and emotional recovery will take time for your body and mind to process the grief you have experienced.

 

Neonatal Death Education

 

Neonatal Death is defined as death that occurs after a live birth of any gestational age, where the infant subsequently dies within the first 28 days of life. There can be several causes that can lead to death in a neonate.

Coping after the death of a child at any age is very difficult. It’s important to seek support and share your feelings with others who can guide you. Complex feelings of loss and grief are normal reactions to a loss. 

 

Bereavement Resources

Additional support for families navigating loss

GriefShare grief and loss support groups

Offers support groups throughout many communities. Learn more at griefshare.org.

   

No Heart Left Behind

Local organization that offers low-cost, quality services for therapy. Learn more at www.NoHeartLeftBehind.com. 

 

 

The Finley Project

This organization offers free support to any mother grieving the loss of an infant. Learn more at TheFinleyProject.org. 

 

Savannah Smiles

An organization that helps hurting families in need of financial assistance with burial expenses in Louisiana. Learn more at www.savannah-smiles.org.

 

Star Legacy Foundation

Support project offered to any family that has experienced perinatal loss. This foundation provides free virtual support groups and free peer-to-peer support. Learn more at www.StarLegacyFoundastion.org.

 

 Abel Speaks

Organization that supports families who have chosen to carry a child with a life-limiting diagnosis. Learn more at AbelSpeaks.org.
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