by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. and Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW
Every October 15, thousands of people come together from across the country to honor and remember a type of loss that is all too common and incredibly personal: pregnancy and infant loss. The entire month of October was designated for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness by Congress in 1988, and in 2001, October 15th became the additional official day of recognition and remembrance.
Two years later, the Wave of Light initiative was created, which encourages anyone honoring a pregnancy or infant loss to light a candle at 7:00 pm on October 15. While many families and individuals chose to honor their loss privately, in their homes or in small groups, larger community events hosted by hospitals, care facilities, awareness groups, and local nonprofits also began cropping up to provide community and awareness. In 2023, Full Circle began hosting our own Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness event with our candle lighting circle of remembrance.
Since our first event in 2023, we have consistently welcomed over 100 participants each year, with ages ranging from grandparents to infants themselves. Many of the attendees are current or former members of our Perinatal Loss Group, who take the opportunity to reconnect with group participants and others who are impacted by this kind of loss.
“It’s heartwarming to see group members come back to honor their children, and humbling to hear how much this event means to them,” says Perinatal Loss Bereavement Services Manager Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW. “I’m so proud that we are able to offer this simple but beautiful event to our Richmond community.”
For 2025, Full Circle again saw over 100 participants gather in our lower level parking lot, complete with string lights, cookies and cider, and an absolutely beautiful sunset. Attendees were invited to participate in making luminaries for their loved ones, craft tables for remembrance ornaments, and were offered the opportunity to say their child’s name as they lit a candle in remembrance.
These community events are small but mighty — and an important reminder that those who are grieving are not alone. Although it may feel isolating, each loss and outpouring of love is another bridge to connection, whether it’s with others in our Richmond community here at Full Circle, or the larger Wave of Light that appears without fail every October 15th.
Full Circle Grief Center 