Diploma in Funeral Arranging Administration 4 12 Arranging

Diploma in Funeral Arranging & Administration 4. 12: Arranging a Funeral for a Baby or Child

Aims and Objectives • Know the different types of legal definitions appropriate to baby deaths • Know the legal requirements for a child's/baby’s funeral. • Understand the factors to consider when removing a deceased child/baby • Know the additional considerations for a child’s/baby’s funeral. • Understand the purpose of documentation for a child’s/baby’s funeral • Understand the importance of offering and responding to bereaved parents’ choices • Understand the importance of assisting the client with aftercare following the death of a child/baby

General Guidelines With cremation: • Always advise about the possibility of there not being any cremated remains • Practice may vary between crematoria over what forms are required for cremation <24 weeks gestation With burial: • There may be a specific children’s section, however • parents may want a full grave with the option for further adult interment – This could lead to a very deep grave for a very small coffin – advise

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Terminology • Foetal remains • Otherwise Non-Viable Foetus (NVF) or Pre-viable foetus, sometimes Products of Conception • Having been born dead prior to 24 wks gestation • Stillbirth • Having been born after 24 wks’ gestation with no signs of life • As defined by the Still. Birth (Definition) Act 1992

Terminology cont • Live Birth (Infant Death) • A child born after 24 weeks gestation • Perinatal death • A child dying after 24 wks’ gestation, including a stillbirth; additionally a child born alive but dying within 7 days • Neonatal death • Having been born alive but dying within 28 days, irrespective of gestation • Postnatal death • Having been born alive but dying between 28 days and 1 year

Registration and Coroner’s Procedures Foetal remains No statutory regulations apply, however: • Certificate of medical practitioner or midwife will be supplied upon request • No coroner’s procedures apply

Registration and Coroner’s Procedures Stillbirth • Registration is required within 42 days • Informant must supply – Certificate of Stillbirth from a doctor or midwife, or – their own declaration that none was available to certify* * in which case, like as not, the case will go to the coroner although the Coroner has no jurisdiction over Stillbirth and will withdraw from the case if Stillbirth is determined

Who can register a Stillbirth? • Either parent, if married • If unmarried: – The father’s details can be entered in the register and both parents can sign – If the father is unable to attend, but the parents want his details recorded then he will have to make a statutory declaration acknowledging his paternity which will have to be given to the registrar – If the mother cannot attend the register office with the father, she will have to make a statutory declaration acknowledging the father’s paternity and this will have to be given to the registrar. – The father’s details can be added later by re-registering

Who can register a Stillbirth cont. If neither parent can attend the registrar then the following people may act as informants: • The occupier of the house in which to the knowledge of that occupier the still-birth occurred* • Any person present at the still-birth • Any person in charge of the still-born child • In the case of a still-born child found exposed, the person who found the child * Occupier in relation to a public institution includes the Governor, Keeper, Master, Matron, Superintendent, or other Chief Resident Officer.

Registering a Stillbirth: 1987 Regulations • • • Required information is: Date and place of birth Gender Cause of death/evidence of stillbirth • • • Father’s Full name Place of birth Occupation • • Mother’s Full name Place of birth Maiden name or surname at marriage (if applicable) Usual address if not child’s place of birth • • Informant’s Full name (if not mother or father) Qualification to act as informant Usual address if not child’s place of birth Signature • • Date of registration Signature of Registrar

Registrar will issue for Stillbirth • Certificate for Burial or Cremation (STILLBIRTH)* or • Certificate for Burial (STILLBIRTH) – Before Registration – In cases where the death has not been registered • Certificate of Registration of Still Birth (if requested) * There is no counterfoil to return to the Registrar

The Coroner and Stillbirth: 1 The Coroner has no jurisdiction over Stillbirth Case referred: • If shown Stillbirth before Post Mortem or • If shown Stillbirth after Post Mortem then family take Certificate of Medical Practitioner or Midwife to Registrar and Coroner closes inquest.

The Coroner and Stillbirth: 2 The Coroner has no jurisdiction over Stillbirth If Post Mortem shows not a Stillbirth, normal rules apply except • Coroner will open and adjourn inquest to release body • Issues Form 101: Order for Burial (after inquest) • Issues Form 6: Certificate of Coroner (for cremation) After inquest • Issues Form 99 a to Registrar

Documentation for the Funeral: Foetal Remains No legal status and not subject to Cremation Act ICCM issued guidelines in 1992 as follows For burial: Certificate of medical practitioner or midwife Notice of interment (or incumbent’s permission for a churchyard) For cremation: Certificate of medical practitioner or midwife Crematorium’s own application form Notice of Particulars Instruction for ashes and waiver

Documentation for the funeral: Stillbirth For burial: Registrar’s Certificate for Burial of Cremation (Stillbirth) Notice of Interment Purchase Exclusive Right of burial (if applicable) For cremation: Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation (Stillbirth) Cremation 9 – Certificate of Stillbirth from medical practitioner or midwife Cremation 3 – application for cremation Cremation 13 – medical referee’s authorisation for cremation

Cremation ashes It is advisable for applicants to sign a statement as follows: "I/We acknowledge that it may not be possible to recover any remains following the cremation and that if this application has been made on behalf of the parent(s) that this possibility has been made known to them. " Signature(s) Date

Live birth • Normal regulations apply.

Scenario 1 Scott and Rachel wish to inter their son James who was born at 20 wks gestation with no signs of life. What sort of death is this? Foetal remains What documents will you require to effect burial? Certificate of Medical Practitioner or Midwife Application for interment

Scenario 2 Sarah was born at 30 wks showing no signs of life. Her parents ask you to arrange cremation. What sort of death is this? Stillbirth What documents are required to effect registration? Certificate of Medical Practitioner or Midwife or other evidence of Stillbirth Who can register? Either parent, if married An occupier A person present at the stillbirth A person in charge of the stillborn child The person who found the child

Scenario 2 cont. Sarah was born at 30 wks showing no signs of life. Her parents ask you to arrange cremation. What documents will the Registrar Issue Certificate for Burial or Cremation (Stillbirth) Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth (upon request) What documents should you present to the Crematorium? Cremation 3: Application for Cremation 9: Certificate of Stillbirth Certificate for Burial or Cremation (Stillbirth) Notice of Particulars Authority for disposal of ashes Ashes Waiver What form will the Medical Referee issue? Cremation 13: Authorisation of Cremation of Stillborn Child by Medical Referee

Scenario 3 Peter and Carol arrive at the office to arrange the cremation of their baby daughter. Sarah was born prematurely at 21 weeks and has lived for just 4 days. They are undecided about burial or cremation; there is mention of a family grave in Carlisle, although Peter’s father was cremated at the local crematorium three years ago. What is the correct term applied to Sarah’s death? Neonatal death When must the death be registered by? Within five days Where must the death be registered? In the district of death List the document(s) the Registrar requires to register Sarah’s death Medical certificate of cause of death

Scenario 3 cont. Peter and Carol arrive at the office to arrange the cremation of their baby daughter. Sarah was born prematurely at 21 weeks and has lived for just 4 days. They are undecided about burial or cremation; there is mention of a family grave in Carlisle, although Peter’s father was cremated at the local crematorium three years ago. What Certificate(s) will the Registrar issue for burial and cremation? Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation What Certificate will you require to enable the funeral to proceed? Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation List the full names of the documents John will submit to the local crematorium for Sarah’s cremation Cremation 1: application for cremation Cremation 4&5: doctor’s certificates Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation Notice of particulars Authority for disposal of ashes Ashes waiver

CPJ Field & Co. Ltd.