Sands has welcomed the announcement by Welsh Government minister Sarah Murphy that the Welsh Government is committed to introducing baby loss certificates, but no launch date has been set. 

The Welsh Government has confirmed that the certificates will be bilingual. And parents will be able to apply for a free certificate relating to previous losses, as they are currently able to in England. 

“It's good to know that baby loss certificates will be available to any bereaved parents in Wales who would like one. However, we still don’t know when this will actually happen and we urge the Minister to clarify a start date as soon as possible. 

“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 Wales and Northern Ireland will soon be able to apply for a similar recognition of their loss, acknowledging their pain and ensuring they feel heard.

“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.”

-    Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands
 

What is available in the other UK nations

Baby loss certificates were first introduced in England in February 2024, initially for people who experienced a loss since September 2018. Since October that year they have been available to anyone who has experienced a loss before 24 weeks or 28 weeks if the loss was before October 1992.

A Memorial Book is already available for anyone in Scotland who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks.

In June 2025 Northern Ireland Finance Minister John O’Dowd and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt launched a public consultation 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 commemorative ‘birth certificates’ are available

Our range of free commemorative 'birth certificates' are available for anyone who wants one for their baby or babies. These are available to order for free wherever you are in the UK. You can order these online, alongside a range of other bereavement support materials. 

Sands is here to support anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, however recently or longer ago, wherever they are in the UK for as long as they need this.