Saying goodbye: Exeter Cathedral service for those who have lost babies

Exeter Cathedral will host its second Saying Goodbye service this month, to help parents who have lost babies in pregnancy through miscarriage, still birth or other trauma, and in infancy.

The first such service was held last year in Exeter, and since then 22 services will have been held in other towns and cities.

Andy Clark-Coates established the services with his wife Zoe after the couple lost five children themselves. Andy said: "We have had amazing attendances at  services with people who have lost babies last week and last month, sitting next to peoplewho lost 60 years ago. Suffice to say the services have been deeply moving, and have brought about significant healing, which has been incredible."

Professor Lord Robert Winston is a supporter of the services.

He said: "Miscarriage is often something that's not acknowledged or talked about in the UK, and people certainly do not appreciate how utterly distressing it is for women, and indeed their extended families. It's a loss of a precious life, and whether the loss happens in early or late pregnancy it's traumatic, and a natural grief process must be allowed to happen."

The service at Exeter Cathedral will be held at 4pm on Saturday 19 October.

For more information visit www.sayinggoodbye.org