The loss of a child is an unimaginable pain, but the ability to capture the precious moments of their brief time with us can be an incredible source of comfort. Sarah and Joseph, parents to their beautiful daughter Rylee, experienced the profound impact of bereavement photography firsthand.
The Decision to Capture Memories
After their loss, Sarah and Joseph were encouraged by a friend, who had also experienced the loss of a child, to consider bereavement photography. “It meant everything to us,” Sarah shared. “It validated Rylee’s life and captured the little time we got to spend with her together.”
The Photos That Mean Everything
When Sarah and Joseph received the photos of Rylee, they were overwhelmed with emotion. “We cried our eyes out and felt so extremely grateful and moved by them,” Sarah recalled. Among their favorites was a photo of Rylee’s tiny feet, as well as cherished images of their family members—parents and siblings—holding her.
These photos became more than just images; they became a lifeline in their grief journey. “They’ve helped us remember our daughter more clearly when we struggle to recall her features on our own,” Sarah explained. “They’ve been so precious to have on those extra hard days.”
Keeping Rylee’s Memory Alive
The photographs of Rylee serve as tangible reminders of her life, giving Sarah and Joseph a way to feel close to their daughter. “They’ve allowed us to continue to feel close to Rylee and given us tangible reminders of her life,” they shared.
To anyone unsure about bereavement photography, Sarah has this advice: “I would highly encourage it, even if you’re unsure in the moment. It’s so much better to have them and not look at them than to want them and not have them. You can’t go back, so just take the pictures.”
A Gift of Kindness
Sarah and Joseph’s photography session was a gift from someone who understood the importance of preserving these memories. “The fact that we were gifted our session at no cost to us was a huge blessing to our family,” Sarah said. “The kindness we received through the gift of our photography session is something we will never forget.”
This act of generosity underscores the importance of supporting organizations like The Mourning Forecast, which help families create lasting memories of their precious children.
How You Can Help
This Giving Tuesday, The Mourning Forecast is working to raise $7,500 to provide bereavement photography sessions to 25 families in 2025. For families like Sarah and Joseph, these photographs are an invaluable gift—a way to remember, honor, and celebrate their babies.
Your donation helps ensure that no family has to face their grief without support or the opportunity to create lasting memories.
💛 Donate now: Click Here to Donate
🦋 Together, we can make a difference for families like Sarah and Joseph.
Special thanks to Sarah and Joseph for sharing Rylee’s story with us and granting permission to use these beautiful memories to inspire others. And thank you to Sam with Samantha Jane Photography, whose compassionate work brought these images to life.
The Mourning Forecast 