Postmortem testing considerations

Prior to discharge, your care team should discuss options for postmortem testing that they believe can help in determining a cause for your loss and its impact on your future family building journey. This can include an autopsy, pathology, genetic testing or specific diagnostic tests for you as the parent to complete. Each bit of detail that can be discovered and tested has the potential to provide a cause of death. The specific tests, their process and your personal thoughts and feelings need to be discussed. Ultimately, it is up to you if you have these tests completed. Often, they come at an expense not covered by insurance or there are not laboratories or providers nearby that can complete these tests. Additionally, these tests can delay laying your baby to rest and regrettably, the results may not offer any answers or insight as to a cause.

​

Autopsy process - If you live in the Philadelphia/New Jersey region, there are limited options for autopsies. These tests are usually completed by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Below is an overview of CHOP's process and fees (as of 2/6/2024 - please contact CHOP directly at chopapconsult@chop.edu for more information). Note - Three Little Birds is not affiliated with CHOP. Please contact them directly with any questions you have.

​

• Autopsy must be performed within two weeks of delivery.

• Autopsy can be coordinated through the hospital of delivery. There may be instances where the hospital will cover the cost of transportation and the procedure, however, the cost of services may be the responsibility of the parents.

• If a parent has to pay for an autopsy, the cost of a full procedure is $6,000. An external autopsy can range between $3,000-$4,000. A single organ autopsy is $3,000.

• Preliminary reports are completed within four working days with final reports provided within 60 days and provided to the hospital who coordinated the procedures. Patients should not contact CHOP directly for updates on the procedure or reports.

• Genetic testing is available through CHOP at an additional cost, depending on the level of testing. Costs start at $2,000.

• If you were seen as a patient at CHOP at any point during your pregnancy for scans or care, the autopsy is covered even if you did not deliver the baby at CHOP.

• For more information, download their informational packet here.

 

Burial vs. Cremation options/considerations

Upon discharge from the hospital, the next step is to find a funeral service provider that can handle their final preparations. Obviously, most parents having to contact a funeral provider do not have experience with it, let alone what to ask or expect. The information below serves as an overview for what you can expect and what the best options are based on your personal, cultural or religious needs.

 

• Angel gowns – Many hospitals offer “angel gowns” to families as a burial or keepsake garment. They are hand sewn by volunteers out of donated wedding gowns. Ask your care provider if they have a gown for you.

• Cremation - This is the most financially friendly option, however, may not be considerable for certain ethnic or religious groups. The raw cost of cremation should not be more than $200 (including transportation, cremation, legal certificate and urn).

• Burial –  This cost of this option varies based on your specific wants and needs and could include burial plots or vaults (+/- $1,000), grave openings (+/- $1,000), burial costs (+/- $1,500) and headstone (+/- $1,500). This does not include the cost of the actual funeral ceremony/memorial service. We suggest postponing a memorial service until around the baby’s 1st birthday.

• Green burial – This option only requires refrigeration/dry ice (instead of embalming) to preserve the body. The body is placed in a casket made of renewable/biodegradable materials and placed directly into the earth where they gradually return to the earth in natural progression. Note – access to this option may vary by State.

 

Finding a provider - No one ever imagines having to find a funeral home provider for their baby. There are many funeral homes that support families routinely and do so at little to no cost. There are other providers that do not support perinatal loss often and charge exorbitant amounts for their services leaving vulnerable families less likely to “shop around”.  Some providers have been known to pressure families in having full blown funerals shortly after their baby’s passing, leaving overwhelmed grieving parents unable to be present mentally during these milestone events.

 

We recommend starting with a provider located closest to the hospital or their desired resting place. If you are cremating, finding a provider located closest to the hospital will help avoid transportation charges. It is ok to ask to see your baby at the home prior to burial/cremation as many providers will allow for a visitation with extended family and friends if that was something you were unable to do in the hospital prior to discharge.

 

Below is a listing of funeral home providers local to the Philadelphia/South Jersey region that work to support families at little to no cost. Please note - Three Little Birds is not affiliated with these businesses. Please contact them directly for pricing based on your specific needs.

​

• Atlantic County - Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, Northfield, NJ,  (609) 641-0065 - minimal charges for cremation; call for burial options/prices

• Atlantic County - Wimburg Funeral Home, Galloway, NJ, (609) 641-0001  - minimal charges for cremation; call for burial options/prices

• Burlington County - Page Funeral Home, Burlington, NJ 609) 386-3700 - cremation starting at $150; call for burial options/prices

• Camden County - Foster-Warne Funeral Home, Collingswood, NJ - (856) 854-0152; cremation starting at $100; call for burial options/prices

• Cumberland County - Edwards & Son Funeral Home, Bridgeton, NJ - (856) 453-1960; cremation starting at $100; call for burial options/prices

• Cumberland County - Freitag Funeral Home, Bridgeton, NJ - (856) 455-2600; cremation starting at $75; call for burial options/prices

• Cumberland County - Christy Funeral Home, Millville, NJ - (856) 825-0314; cremation starting at $80; call for burial options/prices

• Cumberland County - Rocap Shannon Funeral Home, Millville, NJ - (856) 825-0781; cremation starting at $100; call for burial options/prices

• Cumberland County - Pancoast Funeral Home, Vineland, NJ - (856) 696-0931; cremation starting at $100; call for burial options/prices

• Cumberland County - Rone Funeral Home, Vineland, NJ (856) 691-4222; cremation starting at $25; call for burial options/prices

• Cumberland County - DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home, Vineland, NJ - (856) 691-0929; cremation starting at $70; call for burial options/prices

• Cumberland County - Wainwright Bearnhardt Funeral Home, Vineland, NJ - (856) 691-0781; cremation starting at $100; call for burial options/prices

• Gloucester County - McGinnis Funeral Home, Woodbury, NJ - (856) 210-3100; cremation starting at $150; call for burial options/prices

• Gloucester County - Budd Funeral Home, Woodbury, NJ - (856) 845-1310; possibly no charge for cremation; call for burial options/prices

• Gloucester County - Farnelli Funeral Home, Williamstown, NJ - (856) 629-5291; cremation starting at $215

​

Financial resources to offset disposition costs/medical bills/disposition expenses

• The TEARS Foundation – This organization compassionately lifts a financial burden from families who have lost a child by providing funds to assist with the cost of burial or cremation services. Funds are paid directly to the service provider to approved applicants.

• NJ Funeral Assistance - If you receive financial assistance from the state of NJ, they may cover these costs for you. 

• PA Funeral Assistance - If you receive financial assistance from the state of PA, they may cover these costs for you. 

• Walk in Sunshine Foundation – Provides financial assistance to NJ families for burial.

• Trappist Caskets – Handcrafted by Catholic monks, these caskets are donated to families who have lost a child. You can find their contact information online, however, you or your funeral service provider will need to call to order as they do not accept online orders. https://trappistcaskets.com /child-fund/ Toll-free: (888) 433-6934

• Aubrey's Advocate - Financial aid grants for families who experienced a stillbirth at 20 weeks gestation or later in the last 6 months. This grant money will be paid directly to the insurance company to be used as payment towards the labor and delivery cost of your hospital stay.

• Collette Louise Foundation - This foundation provides financial assistance to families who find themselves in situations with pregnancy complications and/or NICU stays. Financial assistance can include, but is not limited to childcare for other children, travel and transportation, phone bills, and car insurance payments. Additionally, they provide financial assistance to families who lose a child due to miscarriage, stillborn, or as an infant. Financial assistance can include but is not limited to the funeral and burial expenses.

• Hayden's Helping Hands - This foundation provides $1,000 for delivery medical costs of a stillborn baby.  Funeral expenses, prior doctor visits, check ups, aftercare, or any past due/collections medical bills are excluded/not applicable. Payments issued are paid directly to the institution issuing the invoice for the medical delivery bill(s).

• The Fletcher Foundation - The Fletcher Foundation provides up to $500 of financial assistance to families after miscarriage or stillbirth, towards a hospital bill. 

• Noelle's Light - Need-based financial assistance grants, up to $5,000, to families receiving treatment or after-life services following a fetal or congenital condition. All applications are required to be completed in tandem with a social worker.  If eligible, funding is directed to the vendor whose bill will be paid on behalf of the family.

• Emma's Footprints - When the unthinkable happens, the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death, Emma’s Footprints walks families through their grief journey. They provide PA families financial support for funeral costs, as well as emotional support through group meetings and one-on-one connections with their Care Team.