Finance Minister and Health Minister have welcomed the launch of
the Baby Loss Certificate scheme.
Following the recent passing of the Baby Loss Certificate
Regulations in the Assembly, Baby Loss Certificates are now
available to anyone who has experienced a loss prior to the end
of the 24th week of pregnancy.
Speaking following the launch in Parliament Buildings attended by
groups and organisations who have supported families through the
journey of infant loss, Minister O'Dowd said: Making Baby Loss
Certificates available to those parents who have experienced the
loss of a baby prior to the end of 24 weeks of pregnancy has been
one of the most significant and impactful achievements of this
mandate.
I fully understand a Baby Loss Certificate cannot alleviate the
profound grief experienced by parents following such losses,
however, it is my hope that by formally recognising their loss
the certificates may offer them a degree of comfort.
I want to thank the parents, advocates, and organisations who
have shared their stories and campaigned so thoughtfully and
courageously for a Baby Loss Certificate scheme. Their voices
have shaped this scheme, and their determination has made it
possible.
Health Minister said: I have met families who
have experienced the heartbreak of baby loss and I recognise that
there are few experiences more devastating.
This scheme acknowledges the profound loss faced by families
whose babies died before 24 weeks. While nothing can remove that
pain, having official acknowledgement of that loss will mean a
great deal to many parents. It is a simple but deeply important
step, recognising that their baby was here, that they mattered,
and that they are loved and remembered.
I warmly welcome the introduction of this scheme and hope it
brings comfort and recognition to those who choose to apply.
Sands' Chief Executive Clea Harmer said: "It is wonderful news
that Baby Loss Certificates are available in Northern Ireland to
anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss
before 24 weeks. These certificates can be an important part of
many people's bereavement journey, and while werecognisethey are
not something everyone wants, it is so important that
bereavedparents have that choice.
"We understand how important it is for those who experience baby
loss at any stage in pregnancy to have their baby acknowledged
and remembered. Baby Loss Certificates are now available in
England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with work underway to
launch a scheme in Wales."
Sands NI volunteer and bereaved mum Kelly Barnes said: "For
me and so many bereaved parents across Northern Ireland, a Baby
Loss Certificate scheme will mean at long last we are able to get
a formal recognition of pre-24 week losses,
acknowledging our grief and that
our babies matter.
"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."
Louise Taylor, founder of the Little Forget Me Nots Trust, said
Every day through Little Forget Me Nots Trust, I meet parents
carrying the love and grief of a baby the world never got the
chance to know. For many families, a scan photo, hospital
appointment letter or memory box may be the only physical
reminder that their baby existed. Yet they carry them into every
birthday, every family milestone and every ordinary day that
follows.
That is why Baby Loss Certificates matter. This is not just a
piece of paper. It is recognition. It gives parents permission to
say, My baby was here. My baby mattered. My baby is part of my
family.'
Baby Loss Certificates won't change what happened, but they can
help change the conversation around early loss and create space
for parents to speak about their baby openly and confidently.
Thank you to the Northern Ireland Assembly and to the parents who
bravely shared their stories. Your courage is helping families
feel seen, recognised and understood.
Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy's, the
pregnancy and baby charity, said: We warmly welcome the
introduction of Baby Loss Certificates in Northern Ireland.
Parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy deserve
recognition and compassion in the same way as those grieving the
loss of a child at any time.
We know how much Baby Loss
Certificates mean to the tens of thousands of
people who have applied since they were launched in
England in 2024. Every one of those families
can hopefully take some comfort
from knowing that their baby, and the future
they lost, is acknowledged.
We have long called for parents in other parts of the
UK to have the same right, and we are grateful to all
those in Northern Ireland who have campaigned so
hard for this change.
Parents who wish to apply for a Baby Loss Certificate can do so
on the nidirect website at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/baby-loss-certificate-scheme-northern-ireland
