Baby bereavement

We are very sorry that your baby has died. We understand that this is a very difficult time for you and our thoughts are with you and your family.

If your baby was stillborn

If your baby was born after 24 weeks and shows no sign of life, then this is called a Stillbirth. You will need to register your baby’s Stillbirth within 6 weeks in England and Wales.

A baby born without signs of life before 24 weeks cannot be formally registered at a register office. However, many hospitals give parents a hospital certificate of birth to commemorate their baby.

The hospital will assist you to book an appointment with the registrar and will then give you a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth, to hand to the registrar.

The registration process means you will be able to name your baby and be given the documents to arrange a funeral.

The baby needs to be registered in the town where the baby was born. The registration can be done by either parent if they were married to each other at the time of the stillbirth. If the parents were not married, and they wish to include the father's details, both parents should be present at the registration.

Bereavement midwives at Princess Anne Hospital will be able to arrange your appointment to register for you. Alternatively, please use the contact form to contact us:

At the registration you will need to provide the following information:

• Medical certificate issued by the midwife or doctor
• The date and place of the stillbirth
• Any names the parent(s) wish to give the baby
• Mother's full name and maiden name if applicable
• Mother's place of birth, occupation and usual address
• The father's full name, place of birth, occupation and usual address (if applicable)
• It may be useful to bring your passports or similar documents to assist with verification of names
• Please bring a translator with you, if you do not speak or understand English

You will receive these documents after registration:

• Certificate of registration - shows the date of the stillbirth and any names given to the child
• Certificate for burial or cremation - required by the funeral director
• Stillbirth certificate - a certified copy of all the details held in the register

There is no charge for the registration or the certificates.

For further information on registering stillbirth and support agencies please visit the government's website.

If your baby was born and then died

If your baby was born alive at any stage of pregnancy and then dies you will need to go to a Register Office and register the baby’s birth and death (if the birth has not already been registered.) The hospital are able to contact the Register Office and organise an appointment for you to register both events at the same time and within the following 5 days.

If the baby’s death has been reported to the Coroner, the process is slightly different. The hospital staff or the Coroner’s Officers will advise you.

The midwife or doctor will give you a Medical Certificate of Neonatal Death to take to the Registrar to register the baby’s death. The Registrar will keep the Medical Certificate and will give you a death certificate. The Registrar will also give you a form to permit burial or cremation. You should give this to the funeral director or, if the hospital is arranging the funeral, to the hospital. The funeral director or hospital will help you with making choices for the baby’s funeral and guide you through the process.