Making arrangements for a baby’s funeral is something which parents do not expect to do and which feels against the natural order of things. You may never have arranged a funeral before and feel overwhelmed by the amount of things to consider. Please be assured that feelings like this are normal and does not change the bond you have with your baby. Your healthcare team, funeral director and friends and family are there to support you, as is the Sands Helpline, app and online community.
Government guidance around social distancing has changed how funerals work in some respects. There are important considerations around arranging and holding a funeral that are outlined below. The National Association of Funeral Directors recommends that, in order to minimise contact and the risk of spreading COVID-19:
- Funeral arrangements be made over the telephone
- If arranged in person, all people attending observe social distancing guidance
- If a funeral must be arranged in person, please respect the social distancing guidance – keep two metres apart, wash hands frequently, cough or sneeze into a tissue/crook of your elbow and limit the number of people attending in person to arrange the funeral.
People presenting symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate and must not attend the appointment in person. This is to protect the public but also the workforce who need to stay healthy and support other bereaved families.
Further information on funeral arrangements can be found here.