Amanda Weck understands the implications of losing an unborn child.
She lost her third baby on Waitangi Day earlier this year and says the ceremony to mark Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15 will be soothing.
The remembrance day concludes Baby Loss Awareness Week, which begins on October 9 and aims to highlight the impact caused by the death of a baby in pregnancy, birth or as a newborn.
New Zealand will be the first to participate in the global Wave of Light ceremony to mark the remembrance day.
It involves lighting a candle at 7pm (depending on your time zone), and letting it burn for at least an hour, so there will be a continuous wave of light around the world on October 15.
In late 2009, after the loss of her first baby, Ms Weck became involved with the local pregnancy, baby and infant loss support group, Sands Wanganui, where she is a projects manager.
There are 31 Sands community support groups throughout New Zealand.
Birth certificates are issued for stillborn babies from 20 weeks into the pregnancy or when they weigh 400g.
Only live births require a death certificate.
This left some families without a sense of closure, Ms Weck said.
While stillborn babies did not have "a history", their families would still have had hopes for their future, and the mother would have felt the emotions associated with pregnancy. Remembering these hopes and feelings did not need to be a sad or morbid thing, she said.
Those who have been affected by baby or child loss are welcome to attend the Wave of Light ceremony in Wanganui from 6.30pm on October 15 at Dempsey & Forrest Funeral Services on Guyton St.
To contact Sands Wanganui, visit sandswanganui.com or phone 213 4248.