Mari Brannan is a military spouse and loss mom who was called to become an SGM/SBD Birth and Bereavement doula after suffering 3 miscarriages and delivering her daughter, Ileana who was born sleeping close to 28 weeks gestation on May 4, 2013. She witnessed first hand how military families can sometimes experience a lack compassion as a service member and/or family member when it comes to baby loss. It can be difficult to navigate through the many resources offered to military families facing loss or to know what is available, while also processing through all of the emotions that come with the loss of a child. She has gleaned resources from her own experience, and wants to help be a voice for military families walking through grief. SGM is proud to welcome her as our SGM Military Liaison, in addition to serving southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky as an SGM/SBD doula. For questions regarding support for military families walking through the loss of a baby or young child, please contact Mari at: [email protected]
Military Resources:
Compassionate reassignment can be amazing for families to be relocated closer to loved ones and family. Approval will depend on individuals command.
Compassionate Reassignment (Army): http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r614_200.pdf
As a military family most of the time we are stationed away from family and loved ones..my first thought when we had Ileana was that I didn’t want her to be buried somewhere that we would only live for 3 years. Thankfully we found Eagle’s wings, they were able to transport her to our home state with one of us on board and treated her with dignity. (funeral home will handle this)
Eagle’s Wings Air: http://www.callewa.com/
Life Insurance: we never want to think of it, but it is available for pregnancies 20wks and greater. It won’t bring our babies back, but can help with expenses due to loss.
Casualty Assistance Locator (Army): https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Casualty%20Assistance%20Centers%20Locator
FSGLI Information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/fsgli.asp
FSGLI Coverage/Procedural Guide:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/docs/ProceduralGuide.pdf