Your healthcare team will talk with you about what you want to do for final arrangements for your baby. These plans for the care of your baby will need to be made within 1 week of delivery.
Some of your options are:
When a baby over 20 weeks gestation is stillborn, provincial law requires the baby receive appropriate burial or cremation. The funeral service provider you choose can help with this.
Although it may be difficult to make arrangements for your baby, it can also be a healing experience. If you have decided to take your baby home with you from the hospital or birthing centre, it can be a special time of bonding. You will need to work with your doctor, nurses, and funeral service provider to do this.
If you choose to take your baby home, you will need to fill in some forms. Some of these include a death certificate (signed by the doctor) and a burial permit. Before you leave the hospital, you'll need to identify a funeral service provider to assist you with care of the body.
The hospital admitting office can also give you more information about where your baby will be and when you or your funeral service provider can pick up your baby. This may depend on whether or not you choose to have an
autopsy done.
Choosing a funeral home
Choosing a funeral home is the first step in funeral or memorial service planning. Funeral homes provide personalized care for a funeral or memorial service. Professional services they offer include meeting with a funeral director, use of their funeral home or crematorium facilities, and preparation of your baby's body for burial or cremation. They can also provide support with cremation or burial arrangements.
Families may choose a funeral home based on preference, experience, or referral from a friend. Funeral homes will arrange to move your baby to their location. If an autopsy is being done, the funeral home will arrange to move your baby once this is completed.
Burial
Cremation
Cremation is when remains are placed in a special chamber and exposed to heat and flames. Ashes are then returned to the family for scattering, burial, or keeping in an urn.
Ask the funeral service provider for more information as some services may be free of charge.