Parents, Families Mourn Collectively at Infant Memorial Service

Essentia Health holds the service every year in Detroit Lakes to provide a space for grief.

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR)  – The many burial plots at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes saw their numbers grow by one on this day.

It’s a representation of lost youth, the annual Infant Memorial service hosted by Essentia Health.

“We see a lot of miscarriages, a lot of ectopic pregnancies, pregnancy loss, infant loss,” explained Paige Perrine of Essentia.

“It’s just a nice way to remember and honor your baby.”

Parents and loved ones of various deceased children stood in solidarity.

Strangers to each other, perhaps – but united in their grief and search for comfort.

Ravanna Steinke is extremely grateful for that sense of community.

“Just hearing other people’s stories. [Knowing] that there’s other people who are thinking about their babies in the same measure that you are,” she said.

This is her second year attending the service, as she continues to mourn the loss of her four children.

She’s a prime example of why Essentia feel it’s so important to continue this tradition.

To acknowledge the depth of loss tragedy can bring – and to find solace amidst the unconscionable.

“Even if one person comes, I feel that all the organization is worth it, putting this on every year,” said Perrine.