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A Western Massachusetts Chapter of Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Inc

WELCOME TO EMPTY ARMS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT, INC.

Empty Arms Bereavement Support is a Western Massachusetts-based non-profit organization offering resources and support to families across the region who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. We are affiliated with the national organization Share. We have an established program in the Childbirth Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, where our organization began in 2007, and as our program has expanded CDH has continued to support us by hosting two of our monthly meetings as well as other special events. We also work with the birth centers at other local hospitals including Holyoke Medical Center, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, and Baystate Medical Center to provide resources for bereaved families.

If you are looking for support group meetings, we offer four different meetings each month. Please follow the links above for meeting times, locations and directions. We use this website and our Facebook page to keep participants updated about our meetings and other activities.

You don't have to attend a group to use our resources. Carol McMurrich, our founder and lead facilitator, is available for peer counseling and support. After speaking or e-mailing with you, Carol may be able to refer you to one of our telephone/e-mail support volunteers: somebody whose loss experience is very similar to your own. In this way, Empty Arms can offer peer support to those who may not yet feel comfortable with the larger support group setting.

We also have a lending library, an annual memorial walk, and occasional special events. On our "Links for Grieving Parents" page, we try to connect you to some resources we hope you will find helpful in the process of grieving your very difficult loss.

Donating to Empty Arms

Empty Arms Bereavement Support is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. Our statement of purpose is:



EABS exists to provide support for families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death.
EABS provides direct support to bereaved families through multiple peer-facilitated support groups, volunteer telephone support, referrals to experienced clinicians, and internet support. EABS also provides families with printed and online resources pertaining to pregnancy and infant loss. Periodically, EABS will host special events to directly benefit bereaved families. EABS will have trained volunteers willing to work directly and immediately with families during the experience of miscarriage or stillbirth. 
EABS also provides support to birth professionals and other people who work with the bereaved. EABS will provide hospital birthing centers with physical materials and trainings to better support families undergoing the loss of a baby. EABS will host professional trainings at least biannually to bring professional development opportunities in the area of pregnancy and infant loss to the local area. EABS will facilitate the existence and organization of memorabilia and photography resources in local birth centers. 

We are funded completely through private donations. All of our funds go directly to helping families in need through our support groups, hospital programs, and events for grieving families. Should you choose to help us with a donation, checks can be made out to Empty Arms Bereavement Support and sent to: 

Empty Arms Bereavement Support
85 Easthampton Road
Westhampton MA 01027. 

We thank you for your support. 

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