This Baby Loss Awareness Week, the government has announced that all parents in England who have lost a baby or pregnancy can register for a certificate to formally recognise their loss. The certificates are now available in England to anyone who has experienced a loss before 24 weeks or 28 weeks if the loss was before October 1992.
Previously, certificates were only available to people who experienced a loss since September 2018. From today, if you have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss at any time, you can choose to apply for a certificate. The certificates are optional - it remains the choice of all parents to manage the difficult time of a loss, however they see fit.
Find out how to apply for your certificate if you would like one: https://www.gov.uk/request-baby-loss-certificate
"I would like to thank all of the women and campaigners for their ongoing work on raising awareness around baby loss – without your bravery, this wouldn’t be possible."
Baroness Gillian Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women's Health and Mental Health
“It's good to know that baby loss certificates are now available to anyone who would like one, in England. Having an official physical recognition that their baby existed and lived is really important to many bereaved parents and families, and can be an important part of their bereavement journey."
Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands
A Memorial Book is already available for anyone in Scotland who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks. And we would welcome the introduction of Baby Loss Certificates or memorial books in Northern Ireland and Wales.
In the meantime, and for those who would prefer, our range of free commemorative 'birth certificates' are available for anyone who wants one for their baby or babies. These are available to order for free wherever you are in the UK. You can order these online, alongside a range of other bereavement support materials.
Sands is here to support anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, however recently or longer ago, wherever you are in the UK for as long as you need this.