15 October: how Europe remembers

Every year on 15 October, families remember babies who died during pregnancy, at birth or soon after. The day covers miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, sudden infant death and the death of a newborn. It began in the United States in the early 2000s and is now observed in many countries, often under a local name.

The best-known tradition is the Wave of Light. At 7 pm local time, people light a candle and leave it burning for at least an hour. As 7 pm moves from one time zone to the next, the candles form a continuous line of light around the world.

Barcelona: a day of reflection at Hospital de Sant Pau

On Thursday 15 October 2026, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona held its second conference on perinatal grief, the II Jornada sobre el Dol Perinatal, in the hospital’s assembly hall from 3 to 5 pm. Its theme was the family facing perinatal loss, and how to understand, accompany and remember.

The programme brought clinical practice and family experience into the same room:

• A talk on the cold cot (bressol fred): a cooled crib that lets a baby stay with the family for longer, so parents can spend time together, make memories and say goodbye at their own pace.
• A panel of family testimonies, in which parents spoke about their lives after the death of a baby, the importance of feeling accompanied, and why this loss should be visible.
• An open discussion between speakers, families and the audience.

Across Spain, the day is known as the Día Internacional del Duelo Gestacional, Perinatal y Neonatal. Many town halls read a manifesto prepared by FEDUP, the Spanish federation of perinatal grief associations. The 2025 manifesto called for three things: legal recognition of every baby who dies, whatever the stage of pregnancy, with the option of registering a name; grief-care protocols in every public and private hospital; and specialised training for health, administrative and funeral staff.

United Kingdom and Ireland: Baby Loss Awareness Week

In the UK and Ireland, 15 October closes Baby Loss Awareness Week, which ran from 9 to 15 October in 2026. Churches, hospitals and universities held services of remembrance during the week, many ending with the Wave of Light on the Thursday evening.

In Ireland the week reached its 24th year. In Cork, the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at University College Cork organised a study day for maternity staff, a multi-denominational service of remembrance and an exhibition on termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. Cork University Maternity Hospital was lit in blue and pink on the evening of 15 October. The national health service (HSE) also launched a new e-learning programme for maternity staff on supporting people after pregnancy and infant loss.

France: journée mondiale de sensibilisation au deuil périnatal

In France, maternity units and associations mark the day with gatherings for families and staff. Last year, for example, the Centre Hospitalier Sud Essonne held a morning workshop for its teams on caring for families after perinatal loss, followed by an afternoon of remembrance with speeches, songs, the planting of flower bulbs and a support group for parents. Associations such as AGAPA, SPAMA and Nos Tout-Petits organise ceremonies and groups in many regions.

Italy: BabyLoss Awareness Day

In Italy, the association CiaoLapo has organised the day since 2007, with free events in dozens of cities and an Onda di Luce, a wave of light, at 7 pm. In recent years, monuments such as the Porta Praetoria in Aosta have been lit in pink and blue.

Germany and Austria: Sternenkinder

In German-speaking countries, babies who die before or around birth are often called Sternenkinder, star children. Hospital chaplaincies and parishes hold services around 15 October. In Regensburg, for example, a service for parents and families took place on 15 October 2026 at 5 pm in the hospital church of St. Hedwig. Many families in Germany and Austria also take part in the Worldwide Candle Lighting on the second Sunday of December.

Taking part, wherever you are

You can mark the day in a simple way: light a candle at 7 pm, write your baby’s name, visit a place that matters to you, or join a local service. If you would like your baby’s name to be part of a shared place of remembrance, you can plant a flower in the MIMATIS memorial garden. For support and practical information in your country, see Find Help, including our full guides for Spain, France and Austria.