Resting Places for 'Star Children' on Thuringian Cemeteries - Thuringia's 'Star Child' Graves: A Growing Trend in Sensitivity and Support
In recent years, there's been a growing awareness and sensitivity towards 'star child' graves in Thuringia. These graves are dedicated to babies who passed away before, during, or shortly after birth. Several cemeteries in the region have set aside special areas for these burials, with ceremonies held to commemorate the little ones.
The University Clinic in Jena manages a grave site on the North Cemetery, hosting two ceremonies annually since 2014. In Weimar, the main cemetery organises three ceremonies each year, with around 30 children laid to rest at a time. Erfurt's main cemetery has had a 'rainbow grave' for 'star children' since 2002, with two ceremonies held annually. Other cities like Gotha, Heiligenstadt, and Saalfeld also provide such burial spaces.
These initiatives often originate from affected parents or self-help groups, with support from birth clinics and cemeteries. Thuringian burial law grants the right to burial for miscarriages and aborted fetuses, with a burial obligation from 500 grams of birth weight. The 15th of October is internationally recognised as the memorial day for 'star children'.
Thuringia's cemeteries offer solace and remembrance to families who have lost their babies, with dedicated grave sites and annual ceremonies. This region-wide recognition and support for 'star child' graves reflect the growing sensitivity and understanding towards this sensitive issue.
