Information for parents following a pregnancy loss (14 – 24 weeks)

This leaflet is for parents following a pregnancy loss at 14 weeks to23 weeks and 6 days gestation where there have been no signs of life at delivery.

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We would like to offer our condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. We understand the effects of grief can be overwhelming and it can be hard to take in verbal information.

We hope that this information will support you in making some of the difficult decisions you may face at this time, it will also explain your choices for the cremation or burial of your baby.

We do understand that this is a very difficult and distressing time for you therefore, in addition to this information leaflet ward staff, Maternity Bereavement Support Team (either the early pregnancy loss nurse or the bereavement midwives) and hospital chaplain are available for you to talk to.

Once you have come to a decision regarding a cremation or burial we will then ask you to complete and sign a consent form.

When a pregnancy is lost at this stage we understand that the decision may have been made for your baby to have a post mortem examination. Where this has been requested there will be a small delay before your baby can be released for a funeral of any kind.

It will take 6 to 8 weeks before the results of the post mortem are known, the funeral of your choice can however take place before these results are known.

What happens next – your options

Once you have read the following information please indicate your choice clearly on the consent form.

Option A: Hospital cremation

At Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust we offer a hospital cremation for pregnancy losses under 24 weeks gestation, where the baby has shown no signs of life at birth.

The service is held once a month at Rose Hill crematorium in Doncaster. It is a short communal service led by our hospital Chaplain and you have the opportunity to attend if you wish.

Please indicate if you would like to receive an invitation to the service. We will inform you via the contact method you have chosen on the consent form. Please note that the service will not take place any sooner that one month after your loss.

Following the service you will be accompanied to the children’s section of the cemetery and will be shown where your baby/babies ashes will be scattered (usually within 24 hours of the service taking place). You can then visit as you wish.

The children’s area is also a place you can leave mementos such as flowers, small teddies, charms (no glass vases/ornaments please).Unfortunately items cannot be left permanently and will be removed by the crematorium staff after four weeks.

It is not possible for individual ashes to be taken away following the hospital cremation. If you wish to receive the ashes, please choose Option B for private arrangements.

Option B: Private arrangements

We understand that you may want to make your own private arrangements for either a cremation or burial. You would be required to make these arrangements yourself through a Funeral Director. Most Funeral Directors do not charge for arranging a baby funeral. However, there may be costs associated with your baby/babies funeral that may not be covered, such as flowers/transport etc. Please speak with the Early Pregnancy Loss Nurse, Bereavement midwives or your funeral directors to discuss this in further detail.

Please be aware that if a post mortem examination has been requested there will be a small delay before your baby can be released. You or the funeral director will be informed when your baby can be collected.

Option C: Undecided

We understand that making a final decision at this time may be very difficult. If you feel that you are unable to currently make a decision, we ask that you please contact the Maternity Bereavement Support Team within eight weeks from today to make private arrangements. If, after this time we have been unable to contact you, we will make arrangements on your behalf for your baby/babies to be included in the communal cremation service at Rose Hill Crematorium, Doncaster.

Option D: Do not wish to be involved

We understand that some people would prefer not to be involved in any of the decision making process. If this is the case please ensure that this choice is clearly indicated on the consent form. Your baby will be included in the hospital cremation service at Rose Hill Crematorium, Doncaster.


Please ensure that your option is clearly marked and your form is signed and dated. If it is not fully competed you will be contacted by the Maternity Bereavement Support Team at a later date to discuss and choose an option.

In keeping with the Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management (ICCM) policy we are required to show that you have been provided with information in order to make an informed choice and to gain consent for sensitive disposal by cremation.

Further information

If you change your mind following completion of the consent form or wish to discuss your options further, please contact the Maternity Bereavement Support Team as soon as possible.

  • Bereavement Midwives: 01302 642796 / 07825 063432
  • Early Pregnancy Loss Nurse: 01302 642812 or dbth.epln@nhs.net 

Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) 

Our PALS team can offer advice or information on your patient experience and raise concerns where necessary. If you would like to visit in person, the PALS office is located the main foyer (Gate 4) of Doncaster Royal Infirmary.


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