Pledge to make a difference, together.
VZW Boven De Wolken: So Much More Than Photos When parents lose their baby before, during, or shortly after birth, their world collapses. They must say goodbye to their child before having the chance to truly know them. At the same time, they feel immense pride in their baby and their family. This period becomes an emotional rollercoaster filled with moments of breaking down, crying, daring to smile again, creating, and cherishing memories.
Parents often wish to preserve everything forever-with photos of their baby and their new family. These pictures, which they can proudly share with others, help them say goodbye and learn to live with the loss of their child.
Photos as Warm Memories VZW Boven De Wolken strives to help bereaved parents carry this heavy burden by offering them a free professional photoshoot of their deceased baby. These photos provide a tangible, beautiful memory of their "star child" and can make a significant difference in the grieving process.
The photo session itself becomes a moment of togetherness for the family-a recognition of their baby's existence. This acknowledgment is crucial at the start of the grieving process. Our volunteers undertake this work with heartfelt dedication and deep respect for both the family and the baby. Every photographer is carefully selected and trained, ensuring that each session is conducted warmly and thoughtfully.
The photos often play a vital role in the healing process, serving as a tangible, cherished memory of their child.
8 Years and More Than 7,000 Star Children Later Since 2016, Boven De Wolken has been supporting parents in saying goodbye to their star child. Today, we rely on more than 325 volunteers to respond to over 1,200 calls annually. This ensures that every parent of a star child in Belgium has the opportunity to have a free photoshoot of their deceased baby. Our services are also available for children up to the age of 12.
In 2024, Boven De Wolken photographed its 7,000th star child. That's 7,000 moments of sorrow and farewell, 7,000 expressions of love and remembrance, and 7,000 journeys made by volunteer professional photographers. Over eight years, Boven De Wolken has made a difference for more than 7,000 families during one of the hardest moments of their lives. A heartbreaking yet deeply moving reality.
Thanks to donations, Boven De Wolken can continue offering this invaluable support to bereaved parents.
More Than Just Photos Beyond photography, Boven De Wolken aims to make a societal impact by raising awareness about grief and perinatal loss. The support of a parent's surrounding community can make an enormous difference. For this reason, training and sensitization for doctors, caregivers, policymakers, and others are essential.
Bringing the topics of perinatal loss, grief, and death out of the shadows, giving them a place in broader society, and making them discussable can only be achieved by reaching the wider public. This is why we continue to address these themes through social media, press coverage, and public presentations at schools, associations, service clubs, and more.