Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep : modern remembrance photography ( Part 5)

I recently came across an incredible organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) and wanted to share the beautiful work they do. 

Since 2005, they’ve been providing professional remembrance photography to parents experiencing the loss of a baby. It’s a gift of healing—capturing those fleeting, precious moments and providing families with beautiful, retouched black-and-white portraits at no cost.

With over 80,000 sessions gifted worldwide, their volunteer photographers are truly doing heart-work. If you know a photographer looking to give back or a family in need of support

As you can see, post-mortem photography is still used, but that's a topic for a different post. 

Early infant loss

While stillbirths are the primary focus of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS), their services are not strictly limited to that. They provide " remembrance photography "for a range of situations involving early infant loss. Their photography service is viewed as a " gift of remembrance."

Read: Victorian Mourning and Post-Mortem Photography: A Cultural History Pt. 1

What is Remembrance Photography?

This is considered a compassionate form of photography nowadays that honors and preserves the memory of a loved one who has passed. This is often about infant loss or end-of-life moments. This kind of photography focuses on capturing respectful images that reflect love, peace, and connection. 

I have often explored the profound impact of post-mortem photography (PMP), its historical roots and its vital role in an era when visual keepsakes of loved ones were scared.

One might wonder: why do families in the 2020’s still seek PMP particularly for stillborn infants? While the era has changed, the underlying motivation remains the same. PMP reached its peak between 1860 and 1910. During this time, death typically occurred at home, and funerals were held in the parlor, It was natural for families to commission a final portrait in the comfort of their own home.

As the 20^th century progressed, death shifted to hospitals and funeral homes. Society moved away from the Victorian obsession with mourning rituals, and the practice faded.

However, in the modern world, grief still seeks a tangible connection. While parents may keep a lock of hair or a tiny garment, professional photography offers something unique: a gentle, permanent visual memory of how their baby looked. These photographs are capture with immense care, providing parents a way to honor their child and carry their image forward with love. 

Read: Post-Mortem Photography: A Historical and Cultural Ritual of Grief ( Pt 4 )

Post Mortem photography has also been recently named as modern remembrance photography , I imagine some reasons are that this kind of photography is dedicated to infant, so the name is less mournful and more soft, and because this service is offered people wanted to rebrand it as part of the mourning process, which is understandable.

Victorian post-mortem photographs were more about documenting the death and getting an image of the person, more than creating a thoughtful memory that represented the (modern) love and something beautiful that didn’t make us think about death or coffins.

Stillbirth rates in the USA 

According to the latest provisional data released by the CDC and the United Nations (UN IGME/UNICEF) as of early 2026, here are the current numbers for stillbirth rates:

United States Stillbirth Rates

The most recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published in late 2025/early 2026, shows a slight improvement in U.S. rates.

• Rate: 5.41 per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths (provisional 2024 data).
• Total Number: Approximately 19,756 stillbirths (fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more).
• Trend: This represents a 2% decline from the previous year.
• Significant Disparity: The rate remains significantly higher for Black (9.96) and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (10.21) mothers compared to White (4.54) or Hispanic (4.76) mothers.
• Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), National Vital Statistics System (NVSS).

Here you can reach out to them: 

https://www.facebook.com/nilmdts/about

https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/