RT Article
T1 The Function of Ritualized Acts of Memory Making after Death in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
JF Religions
VO 12
IS 12
A1 Værland, Inger Emilie
A1 Johansen, Anne Beth Gilja
A1 Lavik, Marta Høyland
A2 Johansen, Anne Beth Gilja
A2 Lavik, Marta Høyland
LA English
YR 2021
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1796465135
AB (1) Background: Some infants die shortly after birth, leaving both parents and nurses in grief. In the specific setting where the data were collected, the bereaved parents receive a scrapbook made by the nursing staff in the NICU, and a box made by a local parent support group. Making a scrapbook and a box when an infant dies in the NICU can be regarded as ritualized acts. The aim of this study is to explore the functions of these ritualized acts of making a scrapbook and memory box when an infant dies in the NICU. (2) Methods: Focus group interviews were performed with experienced nurses in the NICU, and with members of a parent support group. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. (3) Three main themes were constructed: "Making memories", "showing evidence of the infant’s life and of the parenthood", and "controlling chaos". (4) Conclusions: Through the ritualized acts of making scrapbooks and boxes, nurses and members of the parent support group collect and create memories and ascribe the infant with personhood, and the parents with the status of parenthood. In addition, the ritualizing functions to construct meaning, repair loss, relieve sorrow, and offer a sense of closure for the makers of these items.
K1 bereaved parents
K1 Death
K1 Existential
K1 function of ritualized acts
K1 memory making
K1 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
K1 new-born
K1 Nurses
K1 parent support group
K1 Ritualization
DO 10.3390/rel12121046