Cremation of babies and infants

At South Essex Crematorium we follow the joint guidance issued by the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA), the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), the Cremation Society of Great Britain (CSGB) and the Association of Private Crematoria and Cemeteries (APCC). This guidance recommends that all cremation authorities involved in the cremation of babies and Infants (including pre-term babies) must make use of the best available techniques to maximise the recovery of ashes from cremation. You can view this here.

Childrens' Book of Remembrance

Parents have the choice of:

  • an individual cremation
    or
  • the hospital will advise alternative arrangements if required

We will always:

  • ensure there are remains following the cremation of a baby/babies, using specially designed equipment and the expertise of our cremator technicians
  • offer families the opportunity to take home the cremated remains following an individual cremation
  • record the location in which the remains are laid to rest following a shared baby cremation or an individual cremation when the parents request remains are interred in our Gardens

If a baby is born in the London Borough of Havering there is no fee for cremation and the reduced fee for a non-resident cremation is paid for by the Childrens' Funeral Fund.

You may wish to seek support or guidance through one of the organisations below.

Child Bereavement Uk
www.childbereavementuk.org

Child Death Helpline
www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk

The Compassionate Friends
A charitable organisation of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support of similarly bereaved family members who have suffered the death of a child(ren) of any age and from any cause.
Local groups include: "Our Grieving Hearts" for bereaved parents.
info@bennettsfunerals.co.uk
www.tcf.org.uk

Grief Encounter, Helping Bereaved Children
www.griefencounter.org.uk

The Lullaby Trust
Supports bereaved families and raises awareness on sudden infant death.
www.lullabytrust.org.uk

The Miscarriage Association
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk

Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity)
http://www.sands.org.uk

 

Downloads / Other useful documents:

South Essex Crematorium Policy Statement for Infant Cremation