Bereavement photography, remembrance photography, or postmortem memento photography, is a service available to families of deceased or dying loved ones. This may apply to individuals or pets with terminal illnesses, advanced age, those on life-support, or instances of stillbirth or neonatal death.

While some feel this type of photography might sound morbid, it is a genuine snapshot in time for grieving family members. These types of photos focus on moments such as hugs, shoulder pats, holding hands, and other signs of affection. Keep in mind this may also include the final happy moments you will share with your loved one; end-of-life photo sessions might not be entirely solemn, as emotions around grief and loss vary greatly amongst each individual. I don't take pictures of death -- I photograph love, so you may look back and know how cherished your loved one was, even at the very end.

If you’re still unsure if this is right for you, consider the 2014 study titled Best practice in bereavement photography after perinatal death: qualitative analysis with 104 parents which states “[p]arents who were initially resistant expressed current appreciation for pictures or expressed regret that they had not participated. Parents recommended that professionals strongly encourage parents to create memento photos despite parents’ initial reservations. […] Parents overwhelmingly support postmortem bereavement photography when conducted sensitively, even if imperfectly executed.”

Give yourself grace, space, and something extra to look back on when you’ve conquered grief.