2023-08-03 09:28:03
A memorial for children who died during or shortly following childbirth will be erected at the municipal cemetery in Hallein. The first candles are to be lit there from mid-December.
If all goes according to plan, a “Star Children” memorial will be erected in Hallein’s municipal cemetery in December this year. The city provides the necessary space with space to linger, a sculpture and the horticultural design. This was decided unanimously at the last municipal council meeting before the summer break.
Memorial: Protected space for victims of all religions
The application for this was made by ÖVP Deputy Mayor Katharina Seywald and local councilor Monika Noppinger (ÖVP). “I’ve had it in the back of my mind for a long time and would like to raise awareness of this topic,” says Noppinger. For Seywald, it should be a protected space where those affected by all religions can linger and talk to each other. There is also enough space to light candles. Johann Gutschi, master sculptor, theologian and director of the HTL Hallein, received the commission for the design. The rough estimate of the total cost is 7000 euros. The memorial will be looked following by the cemetery administration.
“Star Children” died during or shortly following birth
“Star children” are children who died before, during or shortly following birth and weigh more than 500 grams. They are also known as silent children or angel children. They must be reported to the registry office. They are then entered on the death register and a death certificate is issued. If a child weighs less than 500 grams, it does not have to be reported and does not appear in any statistics. “As soon as the heart beats, a death certificate can be issued to parents if they wish,” says Noppinger.
One in seven pregnancies ends in miscarriage or stillbirth
“Star children” are a family stroke of fate that happens more often than you think: regarding one in seven pregnancies ends in miscarriage or stillbirth. According to Statistics Austria, the number of stillborn children over 500 grams in 2021 was 3.6 percent. That’s 309 children. In 2022 there were 282 children or 3.4 percent. This statistic was created on June 1, 2023.
Behind these numbers are grieving mothers, fathers and siblings. For many parents, the death of their own child is one of the most painful experiences they can face. Tending to a child’s grave or visiting a memorial site are ways to live out the grief and process what happened. It can also be a place to talk to each other. “Self-help groups can also form in this way,” says Monika Noppinger.
Parents want someone who will listen
When “star parents” are asked what they want from those around them, they usually say they want someone to listen. Or sometimes hugging her. They want to talk regarding the baby – over and over once more.
Questions from the audience are allowed. What should your child’s name be? Was it a boy or girl? May we light a candle for your child? “Otherwise, being there is the most important thing,” says an affected mother. That parents feel like friends are there for them and caring.
Memorial day in December is intended to help affected parents
Worldwide Candle Lighting Day takes place annually on the second Sunday in December. The World Day of Remembrance is intended to show affected women, couples and families: “You are not alone – your children are not forgotten.” The Catholic Church accompanies the World Day of Remembrance with services. This year it falls on December 10th. “This would be well suited for the inauguration of the memorial,” says Monika Noppinger.
Since the previous year, the memorial has also been in the cemetery in Golling
Incidentally, since last year there has been a memorial for “Star Children” in the Golling Cemetery. The Tennengau news reported regarding it.
Parish assistant Martina Welte initiated the project. “Mourning is mostly done in silence. There is no funeral and no appropriate place where the parents can commemorate their child,” she said in an interview at the time. Therefore, together with the Gollinger pharmacist Franziska Wagner, she initiated the construction of a memorial in the Gollinger cemetery.
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