Baby loss formally recognised in Northern Ireland

Parents in Northern Ireland who have lost a child at 24 weeks or younger can now apply for a baby loss certificate.

Following the launch of the formal recognition process last week, bereaved parents spoke of the importance of receiving a tangible record of their baby’s life.

Baby loss certificates were introduced in England two years ago, and in Scotland in 2023.

Commemorating loss

Belfast mum Ellie Goan shared how she found it “very emotional”.

“I promised myself I was going to take a bit of time, but then had my certificates ordered within minutes”, she remembered: “Plenty of tears involved in what has felt like quite the journey.”

Kelly Barnes, who volunteers at the Sands baby loss charity in Northern Ireland, and has lost children to miscarriage herself, said: “Nothing can take away the pain of losing your baby.

“But something as simple as a baby loss certificate can help to carry some of the emotional weight by officially commemorating our losses and providing support to bereaved parents as we navigate our grief journeys.”

Compassion

Passed by the Assembly late last year, the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Act formally recognises baby loss prior to 24 weeks gestation.

Speaking at the time, Finance Minister John O’Dowd said: “As Members on all sides will testify, losses in early pregnancy have a real and lasting effect. The trauma of the loss is significant, heartfelt and, too often, borne in silence.”

He described the scheme as “one of the most significant and impactful achievements of this mandate,” saying it would “offer the opportunity for those who have experienced a baby loss prior to the end of the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy to have their loss formally recognised.”

Following their introduction in England, The Christian Institute’s Director, Ciarán Kelly, said: “These certificates are a timely recognition of the humanity of the unborn, and an important acknowledgement of the vital truth that life begins at conception.”