Mobile, Ala. – A local nonprofit is giving new purpose to donated wedding dresses by turning them into custom burial gowns for babies lost to miscarriage or stillbirth.
Southern Grace Angelic Gowns, founded by Sophia Bosarge, has spent nearly two decades creating “angel gowns” for families navigating infant loss. The organization officially became a nonprofit in 2017, though Bosarge began sewing the garments in 2005 as a way to process her own grief after losing four babies.
At a Glance
- Southern Grace Angelic Gowns upcycles wedding dresses into burial outfits for babies lost to miscarriage or stillbirth
- Founder Sophia Bosarge began sewing after losing four babies: “I wanted to heal my own heart”
- The group partners with 60+ hospitals and funeral homes nationwide
- Why it matters: Parents receive custom-sized keepsakes when commercial newborn clothes don’t fit
From Heartbreak to Healing
Bosarge told News Of Los Angeles she first started sewing angel gowns after struggling to find support following her losses.
“I would go to church with my family, and on Mother’s Day it was always hard because they would call out all of the moms to stand up,” she said. “Everybody would look at me crazy when I would stand up because I wouldn’t have any children with me, but even though I’ve lost four children, I’m still a mom. My children just aren’t here with me.”
She recalled that infant loss was rarely discussed two decades ago. “People didn’t understand that back then. It was kind of taboo because you just didn’t speak about things like that, but now we don’t let our babies be forgotten.”
Her husband supported the effort from the start, purchasing her first sewing machine after she mentioned wanting to resume making gowns following their wedding. “I have had so many grieving mamas reach out to me, just needing to talk or cry,” Bosarge said. “I always tell them my phone is always on and I am always available.”
How the Process Works
About 20 volunteers across Alabama and Mississippi help transform donated wedding dresses into tiny garments. Once a dress arrives, the team:
- Deconstructs the gown to salvage usable fabric, lace and pearls
- Creates custom patterns sized for babies as small as one pound
- Adds ribbons, bows and hand-sewn details to personalize each piece
- Packages completed gowns with hats, blankets and certificates of life
Bosarge noted there is no shortage of donated wedding dresses, and a waitlist often forms. “We start out with a pocket for babies that you can’t dress,” she explained. “We do make dresses that are for those that are teeny tiny, with tiny little bonnets or knit caps because unfortunately, there is still a need for those.”
Reaching Families Nationwide
Southern Grace Angelic Gowns partners with more than 60 hospitals and funeral homes across the country. Staff can request gowns directly, and individuals may also reach out for keepsakes after a loss. In addition to burial outfits, the nonprofit provides blankets and other mementos for parents who experienced miscarriage early in pregnancy.
Bosarge said the keepsakes fill a critical gap. “That’s another reason why I do what I do, because I didn’t have anything left to remember my children by,” she explained. “So I want to make sure that other moms have something as a memory of their babies and something to have with them.”
Looking Ahead
The organization is actively recruiting new volunteers after losing many during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bosarge’s husband, an Air Force veteran, has become skilled at cutting down dresses for easier handling by the sewing team.
Bosarge is also pursuing certification as a stillbirth doula to expand the support she can offer families. “It’s just something letting them know that we do know your baby was here,” she said. “We know your baby existed, and we love your baby too.”
Key Takeaways
- Southern Grace Angelic Gowns converts wedding dresses into custom burial gowns for babies lost to miscarriage or stillbirth
- Founded by Sophia Bosarge after she experienced four pregnancy losses, the nonprofit now partners with hospitals and funeral homes nationwide
- Volunteers create garments sized for babies as small as one pound, filling a gap when commercial newborn clothes are too large
- The organization provides keepsakes and emotional support for grieving parents while working to reduce the stigma around infant loss
