facebook linkedin links to instagram links to pinterest links to twitter links to vimeo links to youtube

Ways to remember your baby

For many people, having a way to remember or commemorate their baby can help in the grieving process. Regardless of how old your baby was, you’re entitled to grieve your loss and honour your baby in any way you want. By the same token, if you don’t need to distinguish this experience, that’s OK too – there is no right or wrong way.

These are some of the ways you might like to remember or commemorate your baby.

Illustrated icon of a heart

Having a ceremony or memorial service

There is no legal requirement to have your baby buried or cremated in Australia if the miscarriage occurred before 20 weeks. Most hospitals can arrange for the respectful burial of the pregnancy tissue, including the foetus (if one is present) at the local crematorium if you would like them to do so.

Alternatively, you may choose to make private arrangements for burial or cremation at your own cost. Burial in a garden or other private land is not unlawful, provided that the person carrying out the burial owns the land or has obtained consent from the owner of the land.

I just sort of had a bit of a private ceremony with my husband, and it was a bit of letting go and starting afresh. It was my way of, you know, finally let go of all the sadness, and mourning of the, losing a child, or you know, a baby.

Illustrated icon of a journal

Baby naming or certificate

Naming your baby may help you to process your grief. Additionally, you may choose to apply for a certificate of recognition of your loss. In all states and territories in Australia, there are certificates of recognition or commemoration for early pregnancy loss. Unlike traditional birth certificates, they are not a legal document nor used for lawful purposes; instead, they are a means of recognising your baby and your loss (under 20 weeks).

For further information about the certificates please click on the link to your state/territory department of Births, Deaths & Marriages.

New South Wales government were issuing acknowledgments of life I think they’re called. Where you go to the Births, Deaths and Marriages and actually get a certificate to say that you’ve had this happen. So, we got one of those for [son] which you know…just helps.

Illustrated icon of a hand holding a heart to indicate providing support

Keeping or creating a keepsake

For many people, having a keepsake or something special to them that they can remember their baby by is truly important. An ornament, a piece of jewellery, a tattoo, a keepsake box of any pregnancy images or tests are ideas people have created or collected of these special memories.

I planted a tree, a wattle tree. So, whenever I see wattle, I think of this little one…that was really good for me. Because it was like, it was sort of like a memorial.

Last Updated: December 2nd, 2024