IMHO This is sick, sick, sick...

[Hekate]

85. For 170 years photographers have helped grieving families...

... with photos of an infant who has just died, posed in the cradle or sometimes in its mother's arms. "He looks as if he is only sleeping," used to be a real saying among the newly bereaved. Infant mortality used to be very high, and if the family could afford it and if there was a photographer not too far away, they might be able to have something to remember their child by aside from a lock of hair.

Having seen Daguerrotypes of such infants and their families, I have already thought about it. I see nothing "sick" about the practice -- simply something to help grieving parents get through.

It fell out of favor in the 20th century, I think because infant mortality dropped tremendously with the advent of vaccinations and better sanitation. A pregnancy that ended before the fetus was viable was simply a miscarriage.

Strange that in the 21st century, as we have become accustomed to believing our children will be 100% medically safe and that even micropreemies might be able to survive, that this old practice has re-emerged.

Safe journey little ones. May your rebirth be better.