Rights of Parents When A Baby Dies

To be given the opportunity to see, hold and touch their baby at any time before and/or after death within reason.

To have photographs of their baby taken, and made available to the parents or held in security until the parents wish to see them.

To be given as many mementos as possible, e.g., crib card, baby beads, ultrasound and/or other photos, lock of hair, feet and hand prints and record of weight and length.

To name their child and bond with him or her.

To observe cultural and religious practices.

To be cared for by an empathetic staff who will respect their feelings, thoughts, beliefs and individual requests.

To be with each other throughout hospitalization as much as possible.

To be given time alone with their baby, allowing for individual needs.

To request a thorough evaluation, including a postmortem examination.

To have information presented in terminology understandable to the parents regarding the cause of their baby’s death, including autopsy and pathology reports and medical records.

To plan a farewell ritual, burial or cremation in compliance with local state regulations and according to their personal beliefs, religious or cultural tradition.

To be provided with information on support resources which assist in the healing process, e.g., support groups, counseling, reading material and perinatal loss newsletters.

Rights of the Baby

To be recognized as a person who was born and died.
To be named.
To be seen, touched and held by the family.
To have life-ending acknowledged.
To be put to rest with dignity.

Copyright 1991. Adapted by National SHARE: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. with permission from Women’s College Hospital Perinatal Bereavement Team, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and endorsed by perinatal loss groups and leaders nationally. Adapted by WiSSP with permission.