Your rights, benefits and support after a stillbirth

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.
• 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.

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 stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy, you may be entitled to financial support.

You are also protected by law from unfair treatment or dismissal related to your loss. If you feel you've been treated unfairly at work, contact Acas for free, confidential adviceOpens in a new window

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.

In England, Scotland and Wales, you’ll also need to have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks to qualify for the pay.

In Northern Ireland, it's a day-one right, which means you qualify from your first day of employment.

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’re self-employed or don’t earn enough to qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead.

To receive the full amount you're entitled to, claim within 3 months of your Maternity Allowance start date.

If you don't qualify for Maternity Allowance either, you may be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

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 guidanceOpens in a new window or speak to your employer. Some offer enhanced paternity or bereavement leave and pay beyond the statutory minimum.

If you’ve had a stillbirth and are currently expected to look for work, you’ll be placed in a no work-related requirements group for 15 weeks after your birth. This means you won’t be asked to look for work during that time.

Your work coach will ask for a copy of your stillbirth certificate, along with your name, address and National Insurance number.

After 15 weeks, if you still don’t feel ready to return to work, your claimant commitment can be reviewed.

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 FoodsOpens in a new window and income limits on mygov.scot.

You’ll need to register your baby's stillbirth. Hospital staff will guide you through what to do and where to go.

 The timeframes for registering are:

• England and Wales: within 42 days
• Scotland: within 21 days
• Northern Ireland: within one year.

In most cases you’ll need to visit your local register office, but you might be able to do this at the hospital.

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.