Source
r/Rainbow_Babies•
bones_27

Death certificate

Hi old crew, looooong time since I’ve posted here. My rainbow baby is now 4!

I’ve thought for the longest time that I’d like to get a death certificate for my first baby. But unsure whether I’m ‘allowed’?

I’m in New Zealand and there’s no legal requirement to register a pregnancy loss if it’s before 20 weeks. I don’t have a birth certificate. I had a TFMR at 14/15 weeks.

Wondering if anyone had any experience they can share?

Posted Jul 4, 2021, 6:31 AM UTC

63
joh_ah•

I don’t have experience with NZ. In my state in the US, parents can receive a death certificate for a stillbirth after 20 weeks. Before not. And TFMR’s cannot get a death certificate regardless of gestational age.

The funeral home director that handled our son’s cremation requested one anyway, even though we told her we didn’t think we were eligible. Sure, enough, none came back.

Here, I think it’s political. Death certificate = recognition of personhood, and if the baby is a person, then abort!on shouldn’t be allowed. There’s a lot of contradictions when you start getting into it.

Anyway, I don’t know what the laws are like in NZ, but that was our experience. 💜

2
Peach61083•

I don't have any experience to share unfortunately but wanted to say hello! My rainbow is turning 4 next month and I remember you from TTC after loss and rainbow babies. Feels like a long time ago but also like only yesterday that those subreddits were my lifelines to sanity! Hope you and your family are well!

1
kittykabooom•

Hello :)

My rainbow babe is 4 as well.

I am in Australia, and we can get certificates, but I don't know about NZ.

It IS quiet in here. It's eerie.

1