A stillborn baby boy who was found abandoned at a recycling center in New Jersey has been laid to rest by students at Delbarton School.
A funeral service for the unclaimed infant, whose identity was not known, was held at Orchard Street Cemetery in Dover, 3.5 miles from where the baby’s body was found.
“We think it’s important to honor them as human beings, a basic tenet of respect I think,” said Schroeder, who is a member of the pro-life ministry Wave-4-Live at the Roman Catholic school.
The baby was named “Anthony Mary” after the patron saint of the day he was found: Oct. 24.
The pallbearers carried the small, white coffin at a funeral mass where about 100 students, parents, and staff were present.
Jack Townsend, a junior who read a passage of the Old Testament at the service, described the event to the Record.
“Today obviously was a very sad event and that the baby had to be abandoned, but he’s in our thoughts and prayers,” he said. “So are his parents, who I’m sure went through a tough time.”
Peggy Wright, a reporter for the Daily Record, described the funeral on Twitter as “beautiful” and “moving.”