Nearly 8,000 Baby Loss Certificates issued as scheme brings recognition to grieving families
Tuesday 15 September 2026
Nearly 8,000 Baby Loss Certificates have been issued to bereaved parents and families in Northern Ireland in the first four months of a scheme designed to formally recognise babies lost before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
The Baby Loss Certificate Scheme launched in June 2026, offering families a tangible acknowledgement of a loss which historically may not have been formally recorded.
Certificates are available to anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby before the end of the 24th week of pregnancy, including losses which happened before the scheme was introduced.
Recognition for families
Finance Minister John O’Dowd said feedback from bereaved parents had shown the significance that formal recognition can carry.
“We have heard the impact of the certificates from bereaved parents, the comfort they feel in seeing their baby’s name formally recognised, and what it means to have something tangible that acknowledges their child and their place within the family.
“Some have described the certificate as providing enduring recognition that their babies remain an important and treasured part of their family story. Others have talked about how the certificates have provided acknowledgement not just from government but from society more broadly. This has helped grieving families feel supported and seen as they navigate an exceptionally difficult loss.”
Meaningful difference for grieving parents
The Minister stressed that the certificate cannot lessen the grief experienced following the loss of a baby, but said recognition of that loss was making a meaningful difference to families.
“Whilst no certificate could ease or diminish the grief that parents who have experienced the loss of their baby carry, the recognition of that loss is making a meaningful difference. This has been made possible thanks to the parents, advocates, and organisations who bravely shared their stories and campaigned for this scheme.”
How to apply for a certificate
Parents who have experienced a loss before the end of the 24th week of pregnancy can apply for a Baby Loss Certificate through nidirect.
Applications can be made at:
For families who choose to apply, the certificate provides an enduring acknowledgement of their baby and a formal recognition of a loss that is part of their family story.
