When a couple awaits the arrival of a new baby, they experience a broad range of emotions. Unfortunately, some parents are faced with the loss of a pregnancy and must make arrangements for their stillborn child. Moving forward after this devastating loss is difficult, and Abriola Parkview Funeral Home of Trumbull, CT, wants to ensure you don’t have to do it alone. Here, the funeral home staff guides you through the planning process.

How to Plan a Funeral for a Stillborn Baby

1. Choose the Type of Service

A stillbirth is defined as the death of an infant between 20 and 28 weeks’ gestation, and state law requires a burial or cremation after the 24-week mark. If your baby was born after 24 weeks, you will have to decide between a burial or a cremation. Some cemeteries have a special area reserved for babies’ graves; you can choose to have an individual burial there or on private land. If you choose cremation, many hospitals also allow you to collect the ashes and then have a memorial.

2. Obtain Documents

If you choose to have a funeral or cremation outside of the hospital, you will need to collect the necessary documents. This will include a certificate that registers the stillborn death as well as a form for a burial or cremation permit. You will then give these documents to the funeral home that is helping you with the planning.

3. Decide on a Memorial

In addition to the burial, many people choose to make a plaque or plant something in memory of their baby. This may be a bench or a tree planted near the resting place with a plaque that includes their name and date of passing.

Planning a funeral for a stillborn baby is not a process you should ever have to go through alone. Put your trust in the compassionate staff at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home in Trumbull, CT. The funeral home will help guide you through each step of the process so you know all the options available to you. Give them a call today at (203) 373-1013 to speak with a professional or visit the website for more information.