Your rights and benefits if your baby died shortly after birth

Before anything else, please know that you don’t have to navigate this alone. While family and friends can be a great comfort, sometimes it helps to talk to someone who understands exactly what you’re going through. 

• SandsOpens in a new window is a charity that offers practical guidance and emotional support to anyone affected by stillbirth and neonatal death. 
• BlissOpens in a new window provides dedicated support and guidance for parents experiencing the loss of a baby, including bereavement care, palliative care, and emotional support resources. 
• Tommy'sOpens in a new window offers expert support, guidance, and resources for anyone affected by baby loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or termination for medical reasons.   
• The Lullaby TrustOpens in a new window offers a range of support services for families affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child. 

If any of the steps in this guide feel too difficult, it’s okay to ask a trusted family member or friend to help, whether that’s making phone calls, filling in forms, or simply sitting with you while you read through this. 

If your baby was born alive but died within their first 28 days of life, you may be entitled to financial support. This also applies if your baby was born alive before 24 weeks of pregnancy but sadly died. 

If you had a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy, there is different support available to you. Find out more about financial support after a miscarriage. 

Take your time with the information below. It explains what help is available and how to access it.

If you’re employed, you have the right to two weeks’ Parental Bereavement Leave. 

You can take this time however suits you best as: 

• one block of two weeks, or  
• two separate weeks. 

You don’t have to take this leave straight away. You have up to 56 weeks from the date of your baby’s death to use it. The only thing to be aware of is when you take it: 

• If you want to take leave in the first 8 weeks, you can use one or both of your weeks during this time. 
• After that, you have until week 56 to take any remaining leave. 

This leave is in addition to any maternity or paternity leave you’re already entitled to. Just let your employer know before you take it. 

If you earn at least £129 a week, you may receive Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay of £194.32 per week (2026/27), or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. 

Some employers offer more through Enhanced Bereavement Pay, so it's worth checking your contract or staff handbook. 

You’re entitled to up to 52 weeks’ maternity leave, and you may qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay for up to 39 weeks, as long as you’ve been working for long enough. 

It’s also worth talking to your employer about compassionate leave. Most employers offer this as part of their standard employment terms. 

If you’re unable to return to work for medical reasons, you may be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks, or longer if your contract allows.

If you are the baby's father or the partner of the birth parent, you may still be entitled to up to 2 weeks' Statutory Paternity Leave and Statutory Paternity Pay after a stillbirth, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. 

This is separate from Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay, so you may be able to claim both. 

If you're unsure what you qualify for, check GOV.UK for the latest guidance on paternity pay and leaveOpens in a new window or speak to your employer. Some offer enhanced paternity or bereavement leave and pay beyond the statutory minimum. 

If you receive Universal Credit, let your work coach know as soon as you feel able, ideally within a few days. You can do this through your online journal or by calling the Universal Credit helpline. You only need to share as much detail as you're comfortable with.  

Once reported, your work-related requirements can be paused while you grieve and recover. A friend or family member can do this on your behalf if you'd prefer.  

Your GP or healthcare specialist may be asked to provide a supporting note. 

You're entitled to Child Benefit from your baby's birth until eight weeks after their death. 

If you've already claimed, call the Child Benefit Office on 0300 200 3100Opens in a new window to let them know. If you haven't yet claimed, do so within three months of the birth to receive the full amount. 

If you'd find it easier, someone you trust can sit with you while you make the call or help you write the journal entry.

If you're on a low income and receiving a qualifying benefit, you can still claim the Sure Start Maternity GrantOpens in a new window or Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment if you live in Scotland.  

Qualifying benefits include: 

• Universal Credit 
• Income Support 
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance 
• Employment and Support Allowance. 

You must claim within 11 weeks of your baby's due date or within three months of the birth.

You’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions for at least 12 months in England. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are already free for everyone. 

You’re also entitled to free NHS dental treatment until your exemption certificate expires. 

To get your certificate, ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8. They’ll sign it and send it off for you, and your certificate will arrive in the post.

If you’ve been receiving Healthy Start vouchers, speak to your midwife or health visitor.  

You won’t get any more vouchers, but you can use any you’ve already received.  

Find out more about the Healthy Start programmeOpens in a new window on the NHS website. 

In Scotland, find out more about Best Start Foods and income limitsOpens in a new window on mygov.scot.

You’ll need to register your baby's death within a few days. Hospital staff will guide you through what to do and where to go. 

The timeframes for registering are: 

England, Wales and Northern Ireland: within 5 days 

Scotland: within 8 days. 

You can do this at your local register office, or in some cases at the hospital itself. Find out exactly what to bring, including ID and medical documentsOpens in a new window, on the Tommy's website. 

When you register the death, you can also register the birth at the same time if you haven't already done so.  

The registrar will give you a form to pass on to your funeral director. 

Thinking about funeral arrangements at such a painful time is incredibly hard. Please know that you don’t have to make any decisions straight away, and there are people who can help guide you through this gently. 

Your hospital bereavement team or midwife can help you understand your options and connect you with the right support. You don't have to work this out alone. 

If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, your local council won’t charge for a standard burial or cremation.   

If you’d like a funeral service, there will be costs involved, but financial help is available across the UK, and this section explains what support you may be able to access.

The Children’s Funeral FundOpens in a new window can contribute up to £300 towards the cost of a coffin, shroud or casket, plus burial or cremation fees and a doctor's certificate. You don’t need to be on a low income to apply. 

If you’re receiving certain benefits, you may also be able to apply for up to £1,000 through the Funeral Expenses Payment schemeOpens in a new window to help with other costs.

You can get a contribution of up to £500 towards funeral costsOpens in a new window, including things like flowers and plaques. You don't need to be on a low income to apply. 

If you’re receiving certain benefits, you may also be able to apply for up to £1,000 through the Funeral Expenses Payment schemeOpens in a new window to help with other costs. 

The Funeral Support PaymentOpens in a new window can contribute an average of £2,065 towards costs, such as the funeral service or a funeral car.

The Child Funeral FundOpens in a new window provides a one-off payment of £3,441. This can be paid to you, directly to the funeral director, or split between both.  

You don’t need to be receiving benefits to apply, and your income or savings won't affect your eligibility.

Some costs such as a funeral director's fees, flowers and a memorial, may not be fully covered by these schemes. 

A funeral director who has experience supporting bereaved parents can help you understand what's included and talk through your options with kindness and patience. 

Our free printed guides give clear, impartial information to help you understand your options and make decisions in your own time.  

You can download the Miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death guideOpens in a new window or order a printed copy.