The time immediately following the death of a baby is very distressing and yet, for parents, important decisions need to be made.
Take time to think and make decisions only when you are ready.
It may be that you are reading this after the funeral has taken place, and you regret not knowing of the choice available. Do telephone FSID 's Helpline on 0808 802 6868 if you would like to discuss this.
A doctor or other health professional must confirm formally that your baby has died. If they do not know the cause of death they will inform the coroner (or the procurator fiscal, if in Scotland).
The role of the coronerThe coroner's duty is to inquire into sudden unexpected deaths to establish the medical cause and circumstances of the death. This may be through informal inquiries or an inquest and in either case they are likely to arrange for a post mortem examination.
You should ask the coroner's officer for the leaflet 'When Sudden Death Occurs' which describes what coroners do and what happens at inquests.
You can also call FSID's Helpline (0808 802 6868) for a copy.
The coroner's officer or a uniformed police officer acting for the coroner will ask you for information and may ask you to sign a statement.
The CID may also visit and take photographs and perhaps remove your baby 's bedding. You may find the police or CID presence a shock and upsetting, but they do have to gather background information on all sudden and unexpected deaths.
The coroner will arrange and pay for your baby to be taken to a mortuary. The coroner will usually arrange for a pathologist to carry out a post mortem examination when a baby dies suddenly and the cause of death is unknown. The coroner does not require your permission for this. A post mortem examination is a careful external and internal investigation of the body to try to discover why your baby died.
A professional such as the coroner or your paediatrician should discuss the post mortem procedures and various forms with you. Tissue samples and occasionally, organs may be retained to help find the cause of death. If no cause of death can be found then small tissue samples may be kept indefinitely so that with future medical advances a cause of death can be found. You can decide whether you would like to donate any of your baby's tissues or organs for medical research or training. The person who discusses this examination will also be able to inform you about returning your baby's body to you for the funeral. It can take about eight weeks to hear the results of these investigations and for the coroner to give the cause of death. The coroner or their officer should keep you informed about any delays. When the post mortem examination is completed, the coroner should ensure that you are told what has been done, and ask what you would like to happen to any organs or tissue samples after investigation.
You could also read the leaflet, produced by the Department of Health called 'A guide to the post mortem examination procedure involving a baby or child'. Call FSID's Helpline (0808 802 6868) for a copy.
The examination may help the coroner decide whether an inquest is necessary. You, or a doctor acting on your behalf, are entitled to ask the coroner for a copy of the pathologist 's post mortem report for which there may be a fee. You can ask a paediatrician to go through the report with you.
You may be asked early on whether you would like burial or cremation so that the correct certificates can be prepared. If you are not yet sure you can, later on, inform the funeral director you choose for your baby's funeral.
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What Happens After a Sudden Death?
