The Death of a
Baby or Child

If you have been caring for your baby or child at home up to the end of their life, you will probably have a team of medical staff who have been supporting you and your family. When your child passes away you should contact them so that they can verify the death.

We can bring your child into our care once you are ready – this doesn’t have to be straight away, you will know when the time is right. 

The paperwork and procedures afterwards are the same as for an adult death, you can read more about this here.

We know that the feelings and emotions are very different, and you may find it difficult to navigate through these early steps.

Please feel that you can contact us at any time and we will help in whatever way we can.

If your baby or child has been cared for in a hospital or hospice at the end of their life, the staff who have been supporting you will advise you on the next steps and how your child will be cared for whilst they are with them.

We will liaise with them about when the time is right to bring your child into our care at the funeral home.

The paperwork and procedures to register the death are the same as for an adult death and you can read more about this here. 

However, we know that the feelings and emotions are very different, and you may find it difficult to navigate through these early steps.

Please feel that you can contact us at any time and we will help in whatever way we can.

If a baby or child dies suddenly and unexpectedly it may be necessary for the Coroner to be involved, and they may need to keep them in their care whilst they complete their investigation.

The paperwork and procedures are the same as for an adult death and you can read more about this here.

However, we know that the feelings and emotions are very different, and you may find it difficult to navigate through these early steps.

Please feel that you can contact us at any time and we will help in whatever way we can.

Most hospitals have bereavement midwives who are specialists in being able to advise parents on the procedures for registering the death or stillbirth of a baby.

The process for this will vary depending on the circumstances.

If your baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy, or was less than 24 weeks but lived for even a short time, registration will need to take place. The hospital will usually help guide you through this process and explain the documents required, but if you need advice please feel free to contact us.

If the stillbirth occurred before 24 weeks, registration is not legally required, but we understand many parents still want to honour their baby’s life and we will be honoured to support you to do so.

The hospital may offer to arrange a simple funeral service which may be held in conjunction with other bereaved parents. If you prefer to have an individual funeral for your baby you are free to do so with any funeral director.