We would encourage all families to think carefully before they make any decisions on whether to have a funeral service or not.
It is important to acknowledge the delivery of a baby, no matter how difficult this may seem to be. It is in acknowledging the delivery that you can acknowledge the loss you are suffering. Grief is real, and taking 'time out' for a small service to acknowledge your baby and the feelings you are going through will assist you and your family in the months and years ahead. It is time for including everyone special to you, this includes any other children you may have and extended family members. Your other children will have questions which may be answered by having a special time where these can be dealt with sensitively. We will be talking in terms of whether your baby was born alive or how many weeks gestation your baby was. The reason for speaking in these terms is because there are different legal requirements depending on the age of your baby and whether your baby lived, even if for a short time. We want to help you at this time and will do everything we can to assist you with any arrangements needed. You will need to consider whether you would like a service for your baby. The word "service" is used in the context of a time with your baby in our funeral home, your home, church, or another place. The next consideration is whether you would like to have a burial or cremation.
Government Payment and Support
If your baby was stillborn or died shortly after birth, also known as neonatal death, your family may get a payment.
Parental Leave Pay for up to 20 weeks
Stillborn Baby Payment as a lump sum.
If your baby died shortly after birth, your family may be eligible for bereavement payments. These include:
FTB bereavement for up to 14 weeks
Dad and Partner Pay for up to 2 weeks
Parental Leave Pay for up to 18 weeks
Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement up to 13 weeks paid with FTB Part A
Parenting Payment for up to 14 weeks.
Birth and Death Registration
For miscarriage before 20 weeks of pregnancy, you can choose to apply for a recognition of early pregnancy loss certificate. The birth of a baby has to be registered if the loss was after 20 weeks of pregnancy or weighing more than 400 grams at birth. The records will show the baby as stillborn, so the death does not need to be registered. If a baby died soon after being born, both the birth and the death has to be registered.
Costs Involved
Please note: France Family Funerals does not charge a professional service or cremation fee for baby funerals, however the following charges may apply.
Other costs that may be incurred for a funeral service include: doctors certificate, flowers, balloons, catering, service sheets, venue hire, attendance register, celebrant/minister etc.
Transfer and Documentation includingMortuary Preparation inside our Local Area during Normal Hours. $440.00
Coffin MDF gloss white coffin with Satin lining. $295.00