Rights of the Parents When a Baby Dies
* To be given the opportunity to see, hold, and touch their baby at anytime before
and/or 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, locks 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 respect their feelings, thoughts, beliefs,
and individual requests.
* To be with each other throughout hospitalization as much as possible.
* To be given time along with their baby, allowing for individual needs.
* To be informed about the grieving process.
* To request an autopsy. In the case of miscarriage, to request to have or not have
an autopsy or pathology exam as determined by applicable law.
* To have information presented in terminology understandable to the parents regarding
their baby's status and cause of death, including autopsy and pathology reports
and medical records.
* To plan a farewell ritual, burial, or cremation in compliance with local and
state regulations and according to their own 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.
Information provided by:
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center
1421 E. Wayzata Blvd. #30
Wayzata, MN, 55391
(612)-473-9372
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 from 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 support groups and leaders nationally.
Rights Of Children When A Sibling Dies
* To be acknowledged as a person who has feelings that need to be expressed.
* TO be given the choice to see and hold our sibling before and after death
(within reason).
* To be considered in choices parents are given, we may have an opinion.
* To be informed about feeling of grief in our terms, giving us the choice
of a support group or counseling.
* To be recognized by our society that we will always love and miss our sibling.
