Ministry offers care to families experiencing birth-loss
Mollie and Nathan Verdier and their family walked through the valleys of grief after losing their child, Morgan, who lived only a few weeks in the womb in 2018.
“Grief consumed me most days, everyone in the family grieves, grandparents and siblings too,” Mollie said. “Those who leave the hospital with empty arms, suffer a loss so unique and so hidden. It’s a love story really, but it takes some time to be able to share.”
The couple also experienced the difficulties of obtaining Morgan’s remains, as it is not always common practice for hospitals or clinics to release remains of children under 20 weeks gestation, although it is permitted under an Ohio law passed in 2008, Mollie noted.
Then the Verdiers also had to determine how to properly honor Morgan with a final resting place.
Mollie wanted to have their child buried on their property in southeastern Shelby County, but Nathan felt it was important to honor their faith tradition and have a burial in a Catholic cemetery.
While trying to find a compromise, an idea that came to Mollie at 3 a.m. one morning that would forever change their lives. It would also pave the way for a new and unique ministry – Morgan’s Place Cemetery – that now provides comfort, hope and healing for those affected by birth loss, and a place for family members and loved ones to come together to remember.
Not long after losing Morgan, the couple also suffered the loss of a second child in the womb. In early 2019, they lost a triplet, whom they named Marion.
The family decided to dedicate 2.5 acres of their farmland for burial of Morgan and Marion, and also as a site for the cemetery, which will have 4,160 plots and room for expansion.
With the help of their board of directors, Morgan’s Place worked through the legal requirements and regulations to establish the cemetery on the farm property along State Route 589, southeast of Sidney. They broke ground in March of this year, and cemetery construction began in May.
At Morgan’s Place, children who die before birth, or within a very short time afterward, will be buried at no charge to the family.
There are no other known cemeteries in the Midwest that are dedicated to this single purpose, Mollie related. The non-profit organization is dedicated to helping any family near or far, including from nearby Logan County.
At regular cemeteries, plots can range from $500 to $1,000 and some (but not all) funeral homes charge for their services. Mollie and fellow volunteers Greg and Priscilla Wilt noted that total costs for a traditional funeral and burial for a baby can add up to as much as an adult funeral, averaging about $8,000-$9,000 for families.
Morgan’s Place is partnering with several local funeral homes in the area to assist with cremation and burials at no charge.
“For many families, the financial burden can be overwhelming,” Priscilla noted. “They are oftentimes looking at lost wages and medical expenses, too.
“Outreach is a huge part of what we do – we want people to know we are here for them when they need us.”
Through volunteer construction efforts, the cemetery will be available for burials as soon as this fall. Personalized memorial services currently are taking place at the site, 1254 State Route 589, Sidney, along with memory making, birth planning and serving as a liaison to funeral homes and a connection with local clergy.
A “labor of love” from dedicated volunteers is helping to meet the many practical needs of Morgan’s Place as well, including creating burial gowns and keepsake jewelry, and FFA groups and others making caskets and urns, Mollie related.
A certified birth loss family adviser and perinatal/infant loss support groups also are available, along with post-abortion healing support.
The next steps for Morgan’s Place Cemetery involves the construction of a Memorial Wall on the grounds, along with Phase 2 fundraising for the establishment of a chapel, named in honor of Saint Philomena, the patron saint of infants and youth.
The Memorial Wall will be a gathering space for families to recognize their babies who were not able to be buried. Priscilla and Greg related that this will be a place of healing for their family, after experiencing the loss of two babies about 35-40 years ago.
“We have traveled to many churches and others places to share about Morgan’s Place Cemetery and we often meet individuals who are talking about their experiences with miscarriage and stillbirth for the first time,” Priscilla said.
“This ministry is giving a voice to those families; they don’t have to carry that burden alone.”
Morgan’s Place Cemetery is looking to expand its outreach to the Logan County area as well, and volunteers would invite the opportunity to speak at area churches, service clubs, retirement homes and other organizations here as well.
For more details about Morgan’s Place, visit morgansplacecemetery.org or search for “Morgan’s Place Cemetery” on Facebook for regular updates and fundraising events, including a local concert slated for Oct. 29 featuring the Soul’d Out Trio at the Winner Harvest Barn.
Mollie and Nathan Verdier look forward to growing the ministry alongside their family, board of directors and volunteers, in memory of Morgan and Marion and many others.
“Now I choose to share my love story of my babies, not for pity, likes or comments of sympathy, but because they deserve to be acknowledged. They are my babies,” Mollie said.
“The picture I hold in my mind of my beautiful family includes not only my nine children that run, but also the two that fly.”
Morgan’s Place Cemetery plans Oct. 29 fundraiser concert
A concert “Food for the Soul” featuring the Soul’d Out Trio is slated for Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Winner Harvest Barn, with all proceeds to benefit Morgan’s Place Cemetery
A cash bar begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner catered by Inn Between at 6 p.m. and concert at 7 p.m.
A quilt auction will follow the performance, with quilts donated by local quilters. Quilts are available to view via the Morgan’s Place Cemetery Facebook page.
Tickets are pre-sale only for $25 each, which includes the dinner and concert.
For tickets, visit www.morgansplacecemetery.org/events or call (937) 726-9988.