Northern Ireland Finance Minister John O’Dowd and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt have launched a public consultation today (17 June) seeking views on a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme.

The scheme, which forms part of The Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill, will be open to parents who have experienced the loss of a baby prior to the end of the 24th week of pregnancy.

Sands has welcomed the plans to make Baby Loss Certificate Scheme available to bereaved parents in Northern Ireland.

A similar scheme was rolled-out in England in 2024, while in Scotland a Memorial Book is already available for anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks. We hope that bereaved parents in Wales will also soon be able to apply for a similar recognition of their loss, acknowledging their pain and ensuring they feel heard. 

We welcome the public consultation on a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme, it’s so important that bereaved parents get to have their say on how this scheme will work so that it feels right for as many as possible. These certificates can be an important part of many people’s bereavement journey, and while we recognise they are not something everyone wants, we would like all bereaved parents to have that choice.

Baby loss certificates have already enabled so many bereaved parents in England and Scotland to get official recognition that their babies existed and matter. We hope that bereaved parents in Northern Ireland will soon be able to apply for a similar recognition of their loss, acknowledging their pain and ensuring they feel heard.

- Clea Harmer, Sands' Chief Executive.

Sands volunteers Kelly Barnes and Rachel McGonigle met with the ministers at the launch of the scheme at Stormont and spoke, alongside Clea, about why this is so important to bereaved parents like them.

I welcome the launch of the consultation on a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme. Parents and families who have experienced the devastating loss of a baby should have the opportunity to feel that their grief is formally recognised.

Baby Loss Certificates will not undo the hurt and anguish of losing a baby during pregnancy, but they can officially commemorate losses and provide support to bereaved parents as they navigate the grieving process.

I want to ensure everyone is able to provide their views to help us shape the scheme so that it meets the needs and expectations of those who have experienced the loss of a baby. I would encourage all those with a view to contribute to this important consultation.

- Finance Minister John O’Dowd  

The consultation will run from 17 June 2025 until 12 September 2025. Further information and consultation documents are available on the Department of Finance website.

I recognise the trauma and pain of pregnancy and baby loss, and the enormous impact this can have on parents.

I remain fully supportive of the introduction of a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme in Northern Ireland for parents who have experienced the loss of a child before 24 weeks gestation. The recognition of such a tragic loss can be vitally important for parents and families, regardless of when it occurred, and I remain of the view that every effort should be made to introduce a scheme here as soon as possible.

I therefore welcome the launch of this public consultation as a crucial next step in this process as we seek to canvass views and opinions on this important initiative. My officials will continue to work closely with their Department of Finance counterparts around the consultation process and development of the scheme.
 

- Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

It is intended that the scheme will be operational for parents and families by the end of this year.