Postmortem Testing

Before discharge, your care team may discuss testing that could help determine the cause of your baby’s passing. Options can include:

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• Autopsy

• Pathology or genetic testing

• Diagnostic tests for the parent

 

These may provide answers, but sometimes they do not. Testing can also delay laying your baby to rest and may not always be covered by insurance. Ultimately, the decision is yours.

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If you live in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region, ask your provider or social worker about current local autopsy options.

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Burial & Cremation Options

After discharge, you may need to work with a funeral provider. Choices vary depending on your faith, culture, and finances.

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• Cremation – Often the most affordable option (usually under $200).

• Burial – Costs vary and can include burial plots, grave openings, vaults, and headstones.

• Green burial – Uses natural preservation (no embalming) and biodegradable caskets. Availability varies by state.

• Angel gowns – Some hospitals provide special handmade gowns created from donated wedding dresses.

 

Tip: Start with a funeral provider closest to the hospital or chosen resting place to help minimize costs. It is okay to ask to see your baby before burial or cremation, even at the funeral home.

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Choosing a Provider

Not all funeral homes are experienced in supporting families after perinatal loss. Some are compassionate and low-cost, while others may add pressure or unexpected expenses. When choosing a provider, consider asking:

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• What is your experience with families who have lost a baby?

• Can you support our cultural or faith traditions?

• What are the costs for burial, cremation, or green burial?

• Can we delay a memorial service until a later date?

• Will we have one funeral director as our point of contact?

• Can an advocate provide remembrance photography or memory making or contact Three Little Birds to provide services?

 

Financial Assistance

There are organizations that can help offset costs:

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• The TEARS Foundation – Financial support for burial/cremation.

• State Funeral Assistance – NJ and PA may provide coverage if you receive state aid through Medicaid.

• Walk in Sunshine Foundation – Support for NJ families.

• Trappist Caskets – Donated handmade caskets for children.

• Aubrey’s Advocate, Collette Louise Foundation, Hayden’s Helping Hands, Fletcher Foundation, Noelle’s Light, Emma’s Footprints, Angel Names Association – Provide grants or support with medical bills, funeral costs, or counseling.

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Honoring Your Baby

There is no right or wrong way to lay your baby to rest. Some families choose an immediate funeral or memorial service. Others wait until they feel more emotionally ready—sometimes on a baby’s first birthday or due date.

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You may choose a quiet family gathering, a blessing, or a legacy project in your baby’s honor. What matters is that it feels right to you.

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Next steps...

Click here for more information on navigating the postpartum period and returning home/back to life.

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