Starlight bereavement support
for perinatal and infant loss
Miscarriage (or any loss before 20 weeks), stillbirth, infant death
bereavement doulas are there to help
bereavement doulas are there to help
Serving Dayton, Ohio and surrounding areas
What bereavement support looks like
If you are still pregnant and have received the devastating news that there is no heartbeat or your baby is not expected to survive, bereavement doulas help you prepare for the birth and what to expect regarding their condition and passing.
If you would like doula support during the birth, I am able to provide care in a hospital setting.
If your baby is born and this came unexpectedly, I am able to come to the hospital after birth and help guide a family through this journey. Whether a baby is recently born or has been in the NICU or is an older baby with a terminal illness, bereavement services are available.
If you’re searching for support after the passing of your child, we can get together in a public place and discuss the support you need. Support sessions are a safe place to talk about your experiences and your grief unfiltered. Typically we do one to three sessions as needed. If you would like to get connected to local support groups for long-term support, I’m happy to help get you connected to additional support and community resources for bereaved families.
If you are still pregnant and have received the devastating news that there is no heartbeat or your baby is not expected to survive, bereavement doulas help you prepare for the birth and what to expect regarding their condition and passing.
If you would like doula support during the birth, I am able to provide care in a hospital setting.
If your baby is born and this came unexpectedly, I am able to come to the hospital after birth and help guide a family through this journey. Whether a baby is recently born or has been in the NICU or is an older baby with a terminal illness, bereavement services are available.
If you’re searching for support after the passing of your child, we can get together in a public place and discuss the support you need. Support sessions are a safe place to talk about your experiences and your grief unfiltered. Typically we do one to three sessions as needed. If you would like to get connected to local support groups for long-term support, I’m happy to help get you connected to additional support and community resources for bereaved families.
Contact
View the contact tab on the website menu.
What to expect?
I always meet in a public location first. I can meet families at the hospital after a phone consultation. If you are planning on delivering at home (ex. miscarriage), we can meet in a public location and talk about bereavement doula services for your individual situation.
What to expect?
I always meet in a public location first. I can meet families at the hospital after a phone consultation. If you are planning on delivering at home (ex. miscarriage), we can meet in a public location and talk about bereavement doula services for your individual situation.
It is a privilege and an honor to be called to the doula life. There are times the birth room holds joy and celebration. There are other times that the birth room holds pain, trauma, grief, shock, fear, confusion, and anger. I provide doula services for all types of birth. That includes healthy birth and unhealthy and births where babies are only on this earth a short time. That includes full term, preterm, miscarried, and neonatal death. I am here. Doulas are guides in this world of birth, for all outcomes.
I offer bereavement support on a volunteer basis as I am able.
It is free of charge. Donations are accepted only to allow more time to take care of grieving families in need.
Service area of western Ohio
I serve within approximately an hour -- no more than an hour and a half -- of Fairborn, Ohio.
This includes the following counties:
My immediate area is Montgomery, Greene, Clark, and Miami.
I also serve Darke, Preble, Warren, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Champaign, Union, Logan, and Shelby counties.
Services may be available in the counties surrounding that depending on distance (and proximity to I-75).
Exceptions: I do not serve Butler, Hamilton, or Franklin counties.
This includes the following counties:
My immediate area is Montgomery, Greene, Clark, and Miami.
I also serve Darke, Preble, Warren, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Champaign, Union, Logan, and Shelby counties.
Services may be available in the counties surrounding that depending on distance (and proximity to I-75).
Exceptions: I do not serve Butler, Hamilton, or Franklin counties.
Coping and Remembrance
Visit the bereavement section of Maternal Infant Wellness Education for general information on perinatal and infant loss, coping and remembrance options, and national resources.
Community Resources
local to Dayton, Ohio
The following are resources local to the Dayton, Ohio area.
If you know of any resources to add to this, please reach out.
Contents:
Hospitals
Bereavement doulas
Photographers for perinatal and infant loss
Funeral homes and crematories
Gardens and places of dedication
Memorial events for babies
Charities
Ministries
Support groups
Mental health care
HOSPITALS
Hospitals with a maternity unit
In the Dayton metro: Kettering, Southview, Soin, Miami Valley, and Miami Valley South
Kettering Medical Center
# (937) 298-4331
Address: 3535 Southern Blvd. Kettering, OH 45429
Website: www.KetteringHealth.org/Kettering
Southview
# (937) 401-6000
Address: 1997 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. Centerville, OH 45459
Website: www.ketteringhealth.org/southview
Soin
# (937) 702-4000
Address: 3535 Pentagon Blvd. Beavercreek, OH 45431
Website: www.ketteringhealth.org/soin
Miami Valley
# (937) 208-8000
Address: 1 Wyoming St. Dayton, OH 45409
Website: www.miamivalleyhospital.org
Miami Valley South
# (937) 438-2400
Address: 2400 Miami Valley Drive Centerville, OH 45459
Website: https://www.miamivalleyhospital.org/Locations/Miami-Valley-Hospital-South/
In the surrounding areas
Atrium Medical Center
# (513) 974-2111
Address: 1 Medical Center Drive Middletown, OH 45005
Website: www.atriummedcenter.org
Upper Valley Medical Center
# (937) 440-4000
Address: 3130 N. County Rd. 25-A Troy, OH 45373
Website: www.uvmc.com
Springfield Regional Medical Center
# (937) 523-1000
Address: 100 Medical Center Drive Springfield, OH 45504
Website: https://www.mercy.com/locations/hospitals/springfield/springfield-medical-center
Hospitals with a NICU
Kettering has a level 3 NICU.
Miami Valley Hospital has a level 3 NICU.
Dayton Children’s Hospital also provides care for infants.
# (937) 641-3000
Address: 1 Children’s Plaza Dayton, OH 45404
www.childrensdayton.org
BEREAVEMENT DOULAS
Leanna Mae
Author, educator, birth doula, bereavement doula, and lactation specialist
www.LeannaMae.org
PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR PERINATAL AND INFANT LOSS
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
Find a photographer: https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/find-photographers/
FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORIES
Newcomer
www.newcomerdayton.com
They have 3 locations: Dayton, Beavercreek, and Kettering.
Visit their website for your preferred location’s contact info.
Morton and Whetstone Funeral Home
www.mortonwhetstonefh.com
139 S. Dixie Drive Vandalia, OH 45377
# (937) 898-4634
Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar, and Fraley
www.richardsraffanddunbar.com
507 W. Jefferson St. New Carlisle, OH 45344
# (937) 845-9477
Richards, Raff, and Dunbar
www.richardsraffanddunbar.com
838 E. High St. Springfield, OH 45505
# (937) 325-1564
Littleton and Rue
www.littletonandrue.com
830 N. Limestone St. Springfield, OH 45503
# (937) 323-6439
Atkins-Shively Funeral Home
www.shivelyfuneralhomes.com
216 S. Springfield St. St. Paris, OH 43072
# (937) 663-4193
GARDENS AND PLACES OF DEDICATION
The Garden of Hope and Remembrance
This memory garden is specific to pregnancy and newborn loss.
Kettering Medical Center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thegardenofhopeandremembrance
Southview Serenity Garden
Southview Hospital
http://ketteringhealth.org/foundation/grandviewfoundation/specialevents/garden.cfm
HEAL memory garden
Atrium hospital
https://www.atriummedcenter.org/Spiritual-Care/HEAL-Program/HEAL-Memory-Garden/
MEMORIAL EVENTS FOR BABIES
There are two paver dedication services each year, spring and autumn, at Kettering’s Garden of Hope and Remembrance.
October
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
Each year on October 15th families light a candle at 7pm in remembrance. This is called the Wave of Light.
Atrium’s HEAL program has an annual Walk to Remember in October.
December
Atrium does a HEAL memory tree lighting.
Dayton Children’s Hospital has an annual memorial.
CHARITIES
None that I am aware of locally
MINISTRIES
None that I am aware of locally
SUPPORT GROUPS
Due to Covid, many types of support groups have been cancelled or gone virtual. Please call any programs of interest for the most current information.
Atrium’s HEAL program has a HEALing together support group
Time:
Location: Due to covid, this is currently virtual only.
Phone number: (513) 974-4056
Website: https://www.atriummedcenter.org/Spiritual-Care/HEAL-Program/HEAL-Memory-Garden/
Silver Linings
Time: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 6:30-8pm
Location: Miami Valley Women’s Center
2345 W. Stroop Rd. Dayton, OH
Phone number: # (937) 298-2822
Website: https://womenscenter.org/support-services/infact-loss/
MENTAL HEALTH CARE
If you need emergency psychiatric care, please reach out. You can go to any emergency room and seek help.
There is a 24/7 crisis care service through Samaritan Behavioral Health including a suicide hotline. (937) 224-4646
They also have a warm line with counselors available 24/7.
Montgomery County ADAMHS Board www.mcadamhs.org
We are fortunate to have many counseling services and an abundance of mental health care throughout the Dayton area. There are many caring professionals glad to serve the community. Please reach out if you need help. Every grieving family can benefit from mental health care.
If you know of any resources to add to this, please reach out.
Contents:
Hospitals
Bereavement doulas
Photographers for perinatal and infant loss
Funeral homes and crematories
Gardens and places of dedication
Memorial events for babies
Charities
Ministries
Support groups
Mental health care
HOSPITALS
Hospitals with a maternity unit
In the Dayton metro: Kettering, Southview, Soin, Miami Valley, and Miami Valley South
Kettering Medical Center
# (937) 298-4331
Address: 3535 Southern Blvd. Kettering, OH 45429
Website: www.KetteringHealth.org/Kettering
Southview
# (937) 401-6000
Address: 1997 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. Centerville, OH 45459
Website: www.ketteringhealth.org/southview
Soin
# (937) 702-4000
Address: 3535 Pentagon Blvd. Beavercreek, OH 45431
Website: www.ketteringhealth.org/soin
Miami Valley
# (937) 208-8000
Address: 1 Wyoming St. Dayton, OH 45409
Website: www.miamivalleyhospital.org
Miami Valley South
# (937) 438-2400
Address: 2400 Miami Valley Drive Centerville, OH 45459
Website: https://www.miamivalleyhospital.org/Locations/Miami-Valley-Hospital-South/
In the surrounding areas
Atrium Medical Center
# (513) 974-2111
Address: 1 Medical Center Drive Middletown, OH 45005
Website: www.atriummedcenter.org
Upper Valley Medical Center
# (937) 440-4000
Address: 3130 N. County Rd. 25-A Troy, OH 45373
Website: www.uvmc.com
Springfield Regional Medical Center
# (937) 523-1000
Address: 100 Medical Center Drive Springfield, OH 45504
Website: https://www.mercy.com/locations/hospitals/springfield/springfield-medical-center
Hospitals with a NICU
Kettering has a level 3 NICU.
Miami Valley Hospital has a level 3 NICU.
Dayton Children’s Hospital also provides care for infants.
# (937) 641-3000
Address: 1 Children’s Plaza Dayton, OH 45404
www.childrensdayton.org
BEREAVEMENT DOULAS
Leanna Mae
Author, educator, birth doula, bereavement doula, and lactation specialist
www.LeannaMae.org
PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR PERINATAL AND INFANT LOSS
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
Find a photographer: https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/find-photographers/
FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORIES
Newcomer
www.newcomerdayton.com
They have 3 locations: Dayton, Beavercreek, and Kettering.
Visit their website for your preferred location’s contact info.
Morton and Whetstone Funeral Home
www.mortonwhetstonefh.com
139 S. Dixie Drive Vandalia, OH 45377
# (937) 898-4634
Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar, and Fraley
www.richardsraffanddunbar.com
507 W. Jefferson St. New Carlisle, OH 45344
# (937) 845-9477
Richards, Raff, and Dunbar
www.richardsraffanddunbar.com
838 E. High St. Springfield, OH 45505
# (937) 325-1564
Littleton and Rue
www.littletonandrue.com
830 N. Limestone St. Springfield, OH 45503
# (937) 323-6439
Atkins-Shively Funeral Home
www.shivelyfuneralhomes.com
216 S. Springfield St. St. Paris, OH 43072
# (937) 663-4193
GARDENS AND PLACES OF DEDICATION
The Garden of Hope and Remembrance
This memory garden is specific to pregnancy and newborn loss.
Kettering Medical Center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thegardenofhopeandremembrance
Southview Serenity Garden
Southview Hospital
http://ketteringhealth.org/foundation/grandviewfoundation/specialevents/garden.cfm
HEAL memory garden
Atrium hospital
https://www.atriummedcenter.org/Spiritual-Care/HEAL-Program/HEAL-Memory-Garden/
MEMORIAL EVENTS FOR BABIES
There are two paver dedication services each year, spring and autumn, at Kettering’s Garden of Hope and Remembrance.
October
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
Each year on October 15th families light a candle at 7pm in remembrance. This is called the Wave of Light.
Atrium’s HEAL program has an annual Walk to Remember in October.
December
Atrium does a HEAL memory tree lighting.
Dayton Children’s Hospital has an annual memorial.
CHARITIES
None that I am aware of locally
MINISTRIES
None that I am aware of locally
SUPPORT GROUPS
Due to Covid, many types of support groups have been cancelled or gone virtual. Please call any programs of interest for the most current information.
Atrium’s HEAL program has a HEALing together support group
Time:
Location: Due to covid, this is currently virtual only.
Phone number: (513) 974-4056
Website: https://www.atriummedcenter.org/Spiritual-Care/HEAL-Program/HEAL-Memory-Garden/
Silver Linings
Time: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 6:30-8pm
Location: Miami Valley Women’s Center
2345 W. Stroop Rd. Dayton, OH
Phone number: # (937) 298-2822
Website: https://womenscenter.org/support-services/infact-loss/
MENTAL HEALTH CARE
If you need emergency psychiatric care, please reach out. You can go to any emergency room and seek help.
There is a 24/7 crisis care service through Samaritan Behavioral Health including a suicide hotline. (937) 224-4646
They also have a warm line with counselors available 24/7.
Montgomery County ADAMHS Board www.mcadamhs.org
We are fortunate to have many counseling services and an abundance of mental health care throughout the Dayton area. There are many caring professionals glad to serve the community. Please reach out if you need help. Every grieving family can benefit from mental health care.
