Leading Innovation in Funeral Bereavement Care
Interview with Tara Turner – Spotlight Feature
Across the funeral profession, more providers are recognizing the importance of giving bereaved families time, privacy, and compassionate support following the loss of a baby. At Kincannon Funeral Home in Oklahoma, that commitment has become a deeply personal mission.
In this spotlight interview, Tara Turner, Assistant Funeral Director and Administrator at Kincannon Funeral Home, shares how her background in advocacy and public health shaped her approach to bereavement care and why introducing the CuddleCot has transformed the support they are able to offer families experiencing unimaginable loss.
From creating peaceful spaces for parents to spend precious time with their baby, to ensuring every child is honoured with dignity and care, Tara and her team are helping reshape conversations around infant loss support within funeral homes and the wider community.
Their story is a powerful example of what can happen when compassion, collaboration, and innovation come together to support grieving families in meaningful and lasting ways.
About Your Work
Can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to this work?
I never anticipated working in the funeral profession. My background has always been rooted in advocacy, community development, and public health, particularly in serving underserved populations. Following a personal health crisis, I accepted what I believed would be a temporary position at Kincannon Funeral Home during a season of transition. What I discovered here, however, changed the course of my life and career. Today, I serve as the facility Administrator and an Assistant Funeral Director.
Coming from a public health background, I was aware of Oklahoma’s heartbreaking infant mortality statistics. What I did not fully understand until entering this profession was the profound grief carried behind those numbers. I witnessed firsthand the pain families endure after the loss of a baby and quickly recognized a gap in care—not because compassion was absent, but because there was no structured approach specifically designed to support these families during such an unimaginable time.
That realization became a calling for our team. No matter the gestational age or length of life, we believe every child deserves to be honored and every family deserves the opportunity for a meaningful farewell.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My role encompasses nearly every aspect of our funeral home with the exception of embalming. One of the quotes that has always guided me is, “See a need, fill a need.” That philosophy shapes the way I approach each day.
No two days are ever the same, and this profession often calls us to step into whatever role is needed in the moment. Whether I am assisting families, coordinating services, handling administrative responsibilities, supporting our staff, maintaining the facility, or helping navigate unexpected challenges, my goal is always to serve with compassion, humility, and purpose.
At the heart of every responsibility is the understanding that the families walking through our doors are experiencing one of the most difficult moments of their lives. We have the privilege and responsibility of helping carry that burden alongside them.
What inspired you to focus on helping families through loss?
I believe we are all called to care for one another, especially during seasons of grief and hardship. While this work can be emotionally heavy, it is also deeply meaningful. There has never been a day I truly did not want to come to work at Kincannon Funeral Home. It is important to simply be present for people when they need support most.
Walking alongside families during loss is both a responsibility and an honor. We cannot change the circumstances they are facing, but we can help create an environment where they feel seen, supported, and cared for. Through listening, compassion, and thoughtful attention to detail, we strive to help families honor the life and legacy of the person they love.
How has your approach to care changed over time?
Over time, my perspective on care has become increasingly centered around giving families the gift of time. Grief should never feel rushed. Families deserve the opportunity to process the reality of their loss, gather with loved ones, and make thoughtful decisions regarding memorialization and final arrangements.
I have learned that some of the smallest details often carry the greatest significance. Using a loved one’s name, remembering personal details, and creating keepsakes that acknowledge a life—no matter how brief—can have a profound impact on a family’s healing journey.
Regardless of whether a family chooses a traditional service, a private gathering, or no formal service at all, we offer memorial announcement packages designed specifically to honor the existence of their baby. These are not simply programs or announcements; they are heartfelt tributes that acknowledge a deeply loved and cherished life.
The CuddleCot and Its Impact
How did the CuddleCot donation from the Born Sleeping Foundation come about?
I first learned about the CuddleCot through our local hospital’s Women’s Center. Stacey Ford and Natalie Dabelstein, Assistant Nurse Managers at Jackson County Memorial Hospital were instrumental in helping me understand how additional time with baby positively impacted grieving families. Hearing those experiences made it clear that families outside our local hospital system also deserved access to this level of care and support.
As we explored ways to expand our services for infant loss, I began reaching out regarding grant opportunities for a CuddleCot. Those conversations eventually connected us with Danielle Franck and Lindsay Lowery, whose encouragement and shared passion for compassionate infant loss care were invaluable.
Soon after, Katy Herman, founder of the Born Sleeping Foundation, and I had the opportunity to discuss both the services we were currently providing and our vision for the future. It was an incredibly meaningful conversation rooted in a shared belief that families deserve more time, more comfort, and more support during unimaginable loss.
What was your reaction when you learned Kincannon Funeral Home would receive one?
I received the email from Danielle on the evening of July 5, 2025. I was away from the office for a few days at the time, but I remember feeling completely overwhelmed—in the best possible way. I was honestly in disbelief and found myself going back to reread the email several times, questioning whether I was truly understanding what was being conveyed.
What began as a vision years earlier was finally becoming a reality. More importantly, it meant that families across southwest Oklahoma would now have access to additional time with their baby, and that is truly priceless.
I was also deeply humbled knowing that our partnership with Brian, Katy, and the Born Sleeping Foundation in honor of Wesley would continue. Their support reinforced the importance of this level of service, and the impact compassionate care can have on grieving families.
Why was it important to you that families have more time with their baby after loss?
Not every family we serve comes from a facility where extended time with their baby is available. Through both personal experience and conversations with families, we know how meaningful those moments of connection are.
For many parents, that time allows them to hold their child, memorize every feature, create lasting memories, and begin processing the reality of their loss. Those moments cannot be replaced, and they often become an essential part of the grieving and healing journey.
How does the CuddleCot help families spend that time together in a more private and comforting way?
The CuddleCot allows us to gently preserve the baby without relying on more traditional preservation methods. This creates an opportunity for families to spend uninterrupted time together in a peaceful and private setting.
Parents are able to hold their baby, rock them, study every detail, and create meaningful memories through touch, sight, and presence. These moments provide families with opportunities for bonding, connection, and goodbye that may not otherwise be possible.
What differences have you noticed for the families you serve since introducing it?
Many families are surprised by how different the experience feels when they are not rushed. Having additional time allows them to interact with their baby in ways they never expected would be possible within a funeral home setting.
Families have the opportunity to navigate their grief at their own pace. That time often provides reassurance, comfort, and a greater sense of peace as they prepare for the next steps.
Has having the CuddleCot changed how you or your team feel about the care you provide?
Absolutely. It has strengthened our commitment to reshaping the way infant loss care is approached within our community.
Our goal has always been to provide care that is compassionate, meaningful, and deeply supportive. The CuddleCot has allowed us to extend that care in ways that foster connection, dignity, and healing for families facing unimaginable heartbreak.
At the same time, we hope these conversations encourage greater community awareness surrounding infant loss and ultimately contribute to lowering infant mortality rates while improving support systems for vulnerable families.
Are there any stories or moments that stand out to you since bringing the CuddleCot into your care?
One moment that has stayed with us was when a family from another part of the state reached out because of the standard of care we provide, including the CuddleCot. We were honored to serve them at one of our other locations, giving them the additional time and space they needed with their precious baby. Being able to offer families those moments together is something we will never take for granted.
Recently, we served a family and were able to provide them with a warm, inviting space where they could spend meaningful time together with their baby. It was especially important that their older daughter, who was about two years old, also had room to play, feel comfortable, and be included in the process in a gentle and natural way. Moments like that remind us how important it is to care not only for grieving parents, but for the entire family.
Compassionate Care and Team Well-being
How do you see your work making a difference for both families and your team?
There is an emotional weight that naturally comes with serving in this profession. However, knowing that we are able to bring comfort, peace, and support to families during some of their darkest moments gives profound purpose to the work we do.
For our team, it reinforces that even in grief, compassionate care matters. Sometimes the smallest gestures—a conversation, a keepsake, additional time, or simply being present—can leave a lasting impact on a family’s healing journey.
How does having the CuddleCot help reduce stress or feelings of helplessness for staff?
Prior to having the CuddleCot, preservation often required us to rely primarily on refrigeration methods, which limited the amount of uninterrupted time families could spend with their baby.
Although we worked diligently to provide flexible visitation opportunities, there were still limitations. The CuddleCot has allowed us to better meet the emotional needs of families while also helping our staff feel more equipped to provide the level of care and comfort families deserve.
It has transformed moments that once felt restrictive into opportunities for meaningful connection and support.
What does compassionate care look like in practice at Kincannon Funeral Home?
Compassionate care begins from the very first phone call. We make every effort to learn as much as possible about baby and family so we can approach each conversation with sensitivity, preparation, and respect. Whenever possible, we honor the baby by name, understanding how important that acknowledgment can be for grieving parents.
Our team believes every life deserves dignity and recognition, regardless of gestational age. Once a baby is in our care, we thoughtfully prepare them in a manner appropriate for their stage of development while creating a peaceful environment where families can spend meaningful time together.
Whether that means preparing a tiny basket with soft blankets or dressing and bathing an infant with great care, every detail matters.
We also provide memorial announcement packages for families regardless of the services they choose. These tributes serve as lasting acknowledgments of a precious life that will always matter and always be remembered.
Collaboration and Support
How has working with the Born Sleeping Foundation and others supported your mission?
The support, encouragement, and shared knowledge we have received from organizations such as the Born Sleeping Foundation and our local healthcare partners have been invaluable.
Collaboration has strengthened both our confidence and our ability to serve bereaved families more effectively. Having trusted professionals and advocates who understand the complexities of infant loss care has helped us continue learning, growing, and expanding the level of support we can provide.
What does it mean to you personally to see organizations investing in this kind of care?
It brings hope.
While death is an inevitable part of life, the loss of an infant or child is a grief that feels impossible to comprehend. Seeing organizations invest in compassionate infant loss care reminds families that they are not alone and that their grief matters.
When communities come together to support families during these moments, healing becomes more possible, and the impact of that compassion extends far beyond the immediate loss.
Looking Ahead
What would you say to other funeral homes thinking about offering a CuddleCot?
I would encourage them to research the benefits thoroughly and remain open to expanding the level of care they provide.
Supporting families through infant loss requires sensitivity, patience, and compassion, but the impact of offering additional time and connection with their baby is immeasurable. It is truly one of the most meaningful investments a funeral home can make in the families they serve.
What are your hopes for the future of baby loss care in funeral homes and the wider community?
My greatest hope is that one day we see a significant reduction in infant mortality rates within our communities. I believe continued collaboration between healthcare professionals, legislators, funeral service providers, and community organizations is essential in addressing the underlying causes behind some losses.
At the same time, when loss does occur, I hope families encounter systems of care that are compassionate, informed, and supportive from beginning to end.
Every detail matters when caring for grieving families, and we remain committed to walking alongside them with dignity, compassion, and hope through every step of their journey.
What advice would you give to others who want to strengthen the support they offer to grieving families?
Listen to your community and allow feedback to guide growth. Build relationships with healthcare providers, support organizations, and other professionals who share a commitment to compassionate care.
Most importantly, never underestimate the value of presence, empathy, and teamwork. Families may not remember every detail of what was said, but they will always remember how they were cared for during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Tara Turner and the team at Kincannon Funeral Home are demonstrating how thoughtful, family-centred bereavement care can make a lasting difference during some of life’s most heartbreaking moments.
By introducing the CuddleCot and creating opportunities for families to spend more time together after loss, they are helping parents create memories, honour their baby, and begin navigating grief with greater support and compassion.
Their work also highlights the importance of collaboration between funeral professionals, healthcare teams, charities, and community organisations to strengthen infant loss care and ensure families never feel alone in their grief.
We are honoured to share their story and hope it inspires other funeral homes and care providers to explore how they too can expand the support they offer bereaved families.
Learn more about Tara and her team at: www.kincannonfuneralhome.com
Learn more about the Born Sleeping Foundation at: www.bornsleepingfoundation.org
Contact our team at info@cuddlecot.com
Read parent testimonials: cuddlecot.com/parents-stories