Bereavement Program

The Bereavement Program at RMH-NY provides support and guidance to bereaved caregivers and family members before, during, and after the death of a child.While grief is a normal response to loss, it can feel isolating and overpowering at times. The program, provides the following services:

• Information about grief
• Emotional support for caregivers & family members
• Referral information
• Comfort Shawl program

The Comfort Shawl program provides families with shawls after their child’s passing so our families know RMH-NY is still wrapping ourselves around them when they are not here. Comfort Shawls represent a sense of warmth, love, & security- a message we want to share with our families during a difficult time. When making shawls for our House, please keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Comfort Shawls should be crafted from new, clean fabrics only.
• Please knit shawls in a smoke-free, pet-free area.
• We welcome shawls of all patterns & colors.
• Out of respect for the wide range of religious and spiritual beliefs held by our families, we ask that the designs not be religious in nature.
• Size recommendation: 24 inches x 60 inches, exact sizing is not important.

RMH-NY’s reflection garden is a space designed for people to find solace, connect with nature inside the city, and feel a sense of community with others who have experienced loss or are in a crisis.

The garden is located on the 7^th floor to provide comfort, peace, and reflection. A safe place where children and families can contemplate their thoughts and emotions, grieve, remember, and honor their loved ones.

This reflection garden is open to families that are staying in the House now everyday from 8am – 6pm. You can access it from the 7th floor of the House

For more information on this program, please contact our Family Support Services team at family@rmh-newyork.org.