Coping with the devastating loss of your baby

A post-mortem?

By law, a post-mortem is only required if the cause of death is unclear (e.g. after an operation). If the cause of death is known, you might still be offered a post-mortem but it's your choice.

Two things might help you to decide. The first is how long it will take - you can't arrange your baby's funeral until the post-mortem is complete. The hospital should tell you but, if they don't, please ASK, as it could take a few weeks and there could be delays. The second is whether your baby will be visibly marked. They try to minimise any marks and to ensure they can be covered by clothing.

These answers might help you to decide but some parents just need to see if they can get an answer as to why their baby died. The post-mortem might give you answers but it might not.

'A death should be referred to the coroner if it resulted, directly or indirectly, from any cause other than natural illness or disease for which the deceased had been seen and treated within 28 days of death.' Chief Medical Officer