The Cemetery Department of Ontinyent has planned several visibility actions to commemorate 15 October, which is recognised as International Awareness Day for Gestational, Perinatal, and Neonatal Death. Under the leadership of Councillor Helena Gandia, the department will illuminate urban spaces such as the Santa Maria Bridge and local industrial chimneys, alongside special floral decorations in the cemetery, to honour this important date and continue raising social awareness about this type of bereavement.
These initiatives are part of ongoing efforts by the department since 2023 to sensitise the community. Councillor Gandia stated, “Throughout this legislative period, we have worked on the visibility and commemoration of International Perinatal Bereavement Day in Ontinyent through various initiatives. This year, for the fourth consecutive year, we wanted to programme visibility actions to support those individuals and families who are experiencing or have experienced such situations, while also raising awareness among the general public. Perinatal bereavement is a very difficult grief that has traditionally been overlooked. Therefore, it is crucial and necessary to talk about it and make it visible, providing support to those affected, including in Ontinyent.”
Regarding the planned actions, the councillor noted, “On one hand, we will illuminate the Santa Maria Bridge and the industrial chimneys in sky blue and pink, colours that represent this type of grief, placing this commemoration at various points throughout Ontinyent. This action is being developed in collaboration with the Lighting Department and the Mayor's Office, and this year the illumination will remain in place from 15 to 18 October. Additionally, a special floral decoration has been installed in the central area of the Municipal Cemetery's Third Courtyard, accompanied by a panel featuring the poignant poem 'Cançó de bressol' by Vicent Andrés Estellés.”
“Over the years, various individuals have expressed their gratitude for giving voice to this grief. That has been and continues to be the objective of these actions: companionship, mutual support among people, social awareness, and visibility of all types of grief. Death is an inseparable part of life, and this is how we have aimed to approach it from the department,” concluded Helena Gandia.
