In April 1885,[5] Traquair was approached by the Edinburgh Social Union and asked if she would decorate a converted coalhouse on the original hospital site at Lauriston Lane, now to be used as a mortuary chapel.

The building was small, only 3-metres by 4-metres, but the hospital ladies committee hoped that it could become “a suitable place where the bodies can be left reverently and lovingly for the parents before the burials”.

[7] In a time when as many as 8% of children did not live to see their first birthday,[2] Traquair aimed to offer comfort and support to grieving parents through her decoration scheme.

[1] Although the old hospital site had been acquired by the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh the murals were at risk of slow destruction as the chapel was no longer being used.

[2][7] The mortuary chapel remains in use within the Sick Children’s Hospital, though curtains have been installed so that the murals can be covered when required,[11] as the religious themes reflected in the images are not always appropriate.