It’s hard to focus on finances after a stillbirth when everything feels so overwhelming. But knowing what support is available might give you a little room to breathe and more time to grieve before going back to work.
What’s in this guide
Benefits and entitlements
If your baby was stillborn after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy, you might be entitled to financial support.
You’ll need to notify certain people.
The best way to do this is usually to phone, or, where possible, email.
If you don’t feel able to phone, you might be able to get a relative or close friend to make some of the calls for you.
Where to get help and support
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by some of the things you need to do and the decisions you need to make.
While family and friends can be a great comfort, it’s also sometimes good to get some clear, impartial guidance.
Sands, a stillbirth and neonatal death charityOpens in a new window, offers practical and emotional support.
Miscarriage Association offers support and informationOpens in a new window to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy.
Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave
If you’re employed in England, Scotland or Wales, you have 56 weeks to take Parental Bereavement Leave or claim Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay through your employer. This starts from the date of the child’s death.
You can take this on top of any maternity or paternity leave you’re also entitled to.
You can take two weeks’ Statutory Parental Bereavement leave in one block or as two separate blocks of one week.
The 56 weeks are split into two periods:
from the date of the child’s death or stillbirth to eight weeks after
nine to 56 weeks after the date of the child’s death or stillbirth.
You must give your employer notice before you take Parental Bereavement Leave.
Statutory Bereavement Pay
If you’re an employee or a worker, you may also be entitled to two weeks’ Statutory Bereavement Pay.
You’ll need to have been earning at least £123 a week in the 2024/25 tax year.
Statutory Bereavement Pay is either £184.03 (2024/25) a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Your employer might pay more than this through Enhanced Bereavement Pay. Check your staff handbook or contract for details.
Find out more about how to claim Statutory Parental Bereavement PayOpens in a new window on GOV.UK.
For more information about your rights, see the Acas guide to Parental Bereavement Leave and PayOpens in a new windowOpens in a new window
Maternity pay and leave
You’re entitled to a total of 52 weeks’ leave.
You can’t get this if you have a child through surrogacy, but you might be able to take unpaid parental leave.
You might qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay while you’re off work for a maximum of 39 weeks – providing you’ve been working for long enough.
Find out more in our guide Maternity leave and pay
You must make your claim within 28 days of your baby’s death.
Talk to your employer about what they can offer you or check your employment contract.
Most employers offer compassionate leave to bereaved mothers and fathers as part of their basic contract of employment or employee benefits.
If you aren’t on maternity or paternity leave and are unable to return to work for medical reasons, Statutory Sick Pay is paid for up to 28 weeks. This could be more if your contract of employment allows it.
You may need a Fit Note previously called a Sick Note from your GP.
If you’re claiming Universal Credit
If you have a stillbirth and are seeking work, you’ll be placed in the no work-related requirements group for 15 weeks following the date of the birth.
Your work coach will ask for a copy of your stillbirth certificate, name, address and National Insurance number.
Your claimant commitment may be reviewed after 15 weeks if you don’t feel well enough to start seeking work again.
If you don’t qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay
If you’re self-employed or don't earn enough to qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you might qualify for Maternity Allowance. You must make your claim within 28 days of your baby’s death.
This is paid by the government rather than your employer.
If you can’t get Maternity Allowance, you might be able to get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
To claim Maternity Allowance, Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, contact your Jobcentre Plus.
Find out more, and find your nearest Jobcentre PlusOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
If you live in Northern Ireland, find your nearest Jobs and Benefits OfficeOpens in a new window on nidirect
If you're getting Universal Credit
Also, ask about the Sure Start Maternity GrantOpens in a new window on GOV.UK. If you’re on a low income, you might still qualify.
Other benefits and entitlements
You’re entitled to free prescriptions for at least 12 months In England.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for everyone.
You’re also entitled to free NHS dental treatment until the certificate expires.
Ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8, which you fill in and they sign and send off for you.
You’ll get your exemption certificate in the post.
Find out more in our guide Free prescriptions and NHS dental care in pregnancy
They can also help you with the Healthy Start programme if you’ve been claiming vouchers. You won’t get any more vouchers but you can use any you’ve already received.
Find out more about the programme on the Healthy Start website
Registering your baby
Your baby’s birth must be registered:
- within 42 days in England and Wales
- within 21 days in Scotland
- within one year in Northern Ireland if stillborn.
In most places, you’ll need to go to your local register office, but you might be able to do this at the hospital.
The hospital staff will tell you what you need to do and where to go.
In England and Wales, find your nearest register officeOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
If you live in Scotland, go to the National Records of Scotland website
In Northern Ireland, you can do it at any District Registrars office. Find your nearest District Registrars officeOpens in a new window on nidirect
Making funeral arrangements
A stillborn baby after 24 weeks of pregnancy must be formally buried or cremated, although a funeral isn’t legally required.
If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, your local council won’t charge you fees for a standard burial or cremation of a child.
Other fees, such as a funeral director, flowers and memorial, will still need to be paid.
Funeral costs
In England, the Children’s Funeral Fund can contribute up to £300 towards any reasonable funeral costs such as the burial fees, cremation fees and a coffin, shroud or casket.
In Wales, there’s also a £500 contributionOpens in a new window towards the funeral and other related costs such as floral tributes, plaques.
If you live in England or Wales and you are getting certain benefits, you can also apply for up to £1,000 Funeral Expenses PaymentOpens in a new window to help cover some of the other reasonable costs. Find out more on GOV.UKOpens in a new window
In Scotland, the average payment is £1,800 for contributionOpens in a new window towards any reasonable funeral costs you need to pay for such as the funeral service or funeral car. Funeral Support PaymentOpens in a new window helps pay for funeral costs if you live in Scotland. Find out more at MYGOV.SCOTOpens in a new window
In Northern Ireland, you can get up to £1,000 for reasonable funeral expenses for fees or items such as funeral director’s fees, flowers, coffin.
If you’re not using a funeral director, you can claim for some funeral expensesOpens in a new window Find out more on GOV.UK
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