Abandoned Baby Offered With A Dignified Funeral In Oxford By Strangers; Search For The Mother Continues

A dignified funeral was given today for the abandoned baby discovered on the footpath in February. The Oxford City Council organized it at the Wolvercote Cemetery, attracting dozens of mourners as some of whom even traveled from London.

The stillborn infant should have been 8 months old now. Thames Valley Police failed to identify her family despite various appeals, BBC reported.

Baby 'Raihana', as the police called her, had one moving story which is the reason why many people wanted to send her goodbye. Raihana means "heaven's flower".

Most of the mourners who came also had tragic experiences with pregnancy like Suzi Horsley, 33, from Oxford. She lost four babies during pregnancy but still gave birth to three.

"I felt quite strongly that she should be mourned, and that her mother should be supported as well." Horsley told BBC. "I hope she sees the coverage of today and sees that there is a network of mothers who understand her loss and understand that pain," she added.

Another woman who had her way from London just to attend the funeral also said that, "Everyone should have someone to say goodbye." The grief of seeing a baby losing everything in the first hour of life was enough reason for her to come.

"Nobody should have their life ended with nobody there. This poor child was born alone, and left alone." the woman who did not want her name published told BBC.

Deputy Inspector Jim Holmes was reluctant about holding the funeral because of the possibility of not having guests. He was not expecting that people will come and that some would even travel from across the country and even some from London.

"We have been inundated with responses. This has touched the hearts and minds of this community and across the country." Det. Ins. Holmes said.

Det. Insp. Holmes, on behalf of the Thames Valley Police, say that they would continue to search for the baby's mother.

There is a fundraiser going on for the families affected by baby loss through the Sands charity. The amount raised so far is £2,364 since the Just Giving page was set up. Oxford City Council said that the donations offered toward the funeral of baby Raihana can be given to charities who work with people affected by stillborn children, according to Oxford Times.