Infant Loss: Funeral Costs & Burial Support
Hospitals often provide families with the option of cremation for newborns and stillborns.
Usually, infant cremation cost is less than that of typical burials. Some burial homes offer the service for free or with great discounts. The circumstances and financial challenges that families may face often play a part in the final expense.
This approach helps parents and guardians to navigate this particularly difficult period.
Average Cost of Infant Cremation
The average cost of infant cremation can vary significantly, from $500 to $1000 or more, depending on several factors.
Many hospitals provide funeral or cremation services for infants, but parents may choose to organize the ceremony themselves. In doing so, they will have more control to personalize the funeral service. On the other hand, it will likely cost more than allowing the hospital to handle everything.
The main cost-raising factors are cremation service fees and additional memorial or funeral expenses, such as the choice of casket, urn, or container options and flowers.
Those funeral or cremation service fees for infants typically cover the essential aspects of the process, such as transportation, documentation, and the actual cremation or internment itself.
Hospital Burial or Cremation
Most hospitals offer the convenience of burial or cremation services for infants. During these times of sorrow, such services can support the grieving families.
Hospitals often have both individual and mass cremation options.
Individual cremation ensures that each infant is cremated separately, with their ashes returned to the family, if requested and possible. (To small babies don’t leave enough ashes behind.)
Mass cremation, on the other hand, involves the simultaneous cremation of multiple infants, and the ashes are typically not returned to individual families.
If parents wish to take the ashes home after an individual cremation, they can make this request to the hospital or the crematorium handling the process. The ashes are usually placed in an urn or container of the family’s choice.
It’s important to note that when discussing cremation services for a fetus and receiving its ashes, the process is similar. Parents can make decisions about cremation or burial based on their preferences and circumstances.
Some hospitals may offer free cremation for babies to support families during these difficult times, but policies can vary, so it’s advisable to inquire with the hospital about available options and potential costs.
Urns or Other Containers
The choice of urn or container for babies largely depends on the intended purpose.
- Degradable urns — These are often used for funeral ceremonies and burials. They are designed to break down naturally over time, making them suitable for eco-friendly and biodegradable options. Prices for degradable urns range from $40 to $150 or more, depending on materials and design.
- Permanent urns — These are intended for keeping the ashes as a lasting memorial. They come in various materials like wood, ceramic, or metal and offer a wider range of designs. Prices for permanent urns start from $60 and can reach several hundred dollars or more, depending on the material, craftsmanship, and size.
There are no regulations as to how long you can keep a stillborn baby’s ashes. Families can choose to keep the ashes for as long as they wish, often as a way to maintain a connection and remember their child.
It’s a deeply personal decision that varies from family to family, and there is no time limit or requirement to dispose of the ashes.
Memorial Service for a Stillborn Baby
Planning a memorial service or event for a stillborn baby can be emotionally challenging and may involve additional costs, but it allows you to say goodbye in a way that is meaningful to you. This can take the form of a traditional memorial service, a candlelight vigil, or any other arrangement that helps you cope with your loss.
Spending time together with your loved ones to remember and honor your baby can have a profound and healing effect. It provides an opportunity for grieving parents and their families to find solace and support.
Memorial services can also serve a broader purpose, such as fundraising to aid medical research related to stillbirth, or creating an online event for distant family and friends to express their support and share in your grief when they can’t attend in person.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to say farewell to your unborn or stillborn baby. Whether it involves a formal event or simply sitting in silence with your pain, what matters most is that you find a way to honor and remember your child that brings you comfort and closure during this difficult time.
Memorialization Options
Coming up with special and personalized memorial ideas for an infant will ensure their memory will live on.
Crafting homemade keepsakes or creating a personal altar with mementos and photos that hold special meaning could go a long way in instigating healing while keeping the memory close. Utilizing digital platforms, like creating a memorial website or social media page, allows for sharing and receiving support from a broader community.
Involving loved ones in these efforts can be both cost-effective and emotionally significant. They can contribute to handmade items, share stories, or participate in online tributes.
These creative and personalized approaches provide a lasting and heartfelt way to memorialize your infant, offering solace and fostering healing during this difficult time.
Funeral and Cremation Costs
According to funeral industry statistics, the average cost of infant cremation is generally lower than that of a grownup, but expenses can still add up, depending on the choices made.
A basic cremation with a simple container is often the most affordable option. This typically includes the cremation process itself and the basic documentation required.
However, if families opt for more elaborate funeral services, costs can increase. These additional expenses might involve a memorial service, an embellished urn or casket, musical performances, keepsakes, and catering.
To minimize infant cremation costs, some families opt for simpler arrangements and conduct memorial services themselves.
It’s essential to discuss available options with the funeral home or crematorium, as they may offer packages or discounts for infant services to support grieving families during this challenging time.
Cost Breakdown Table
Please note that the below components of infant cremation costs are averages, and prices can vary depending on location, service providers, and individual preferences. Families can tailor their choices to fit their budget and create a meaningful farewell for their infant.
| Expense Category | Description | Average Cost (USD) |
| Cremation Service Fees | Basic cremation service | $500 – $800 |
| Transportation Costs | Transfer of the infant to the crematorium | $100 – $200 |
| Urn or Container Prices | Simple container or urn | $30 – $150 |
| Memorial Services | Professional services for planning and coordination | $300 – $1,000 |
| Permits | Required permits for cremation | $50 – $100 |
| Additional Fees | Optional services (e.g., embalming, viewing) | $200 – $500 |
| Cemetery/Burial Plot | If applicable for ashes burial | $300 – $1,000 |
| Keepsakes and Favors | Custom tokens, memorial cards, etc. | $50 – $200 |
| Reception/Catering | Hosting a post-service reception | $100 – $500 |
| Floral Arrangements | Elaborate flower decorations | $50 – $300 |
Supporting Resources & Organizations
There are a number of organizations that offer assistance with an infant’s funeral, as well as guidance, or financial aid to families dealing with the cost of infant cremation:
Non-profit Organizations:
- Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep provides free remembrance photography services for families experiencing the loss of an infant.
- The Tears Foundation offers financial assistance for infant funeral and burial expenses.
- First Candle focuses on reducing the rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and provides support for bereaved families, including financial aid for infant funerals.
- Angel Names Association offers support, resources, and financial assistance to families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss.
- The Angel Gown Program has handmade burial gowns for infants to support grieving families.
Foundations:
- The CJ Foundation for SIDS offers financial support to families affected by SIDS and provides assistance for funeral expenses.
- The Finley Project provides support and financial assistance to families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss.
- The Mariposa Foundation assists families with burial expenses for infants and offers grief support.
- The Lily’s Place Foundation focuses on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and provides financial aid to families facing infant loss.
- The TEARS Foundation has support groups and financial assistance for infant and pregnancy loss funerals.
Government Programs:
- Social Security Administration (SSA) may provide a one-time lump-sum death payment for eligible parents of a deceased child.
- Medicaid may cover funeral and burial expenses for infants, in some cases.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) provides nutritional support for low-income families, which can help alleviate financial burdens during difficult times.
Collaborating With Support Organizations and Charities
Collaborating with these organizations when dealing with the loss of an infant, can offer invaluable assistance in both practical and emotional aspects:
- Practical Assistance — Support organizations such as The Tears Foundation or The Finley Project often offer financial aid, helping alleviate the burden of funeral and cremation costs. This can be a tremendous relief for families during a challenging time.
- Grief Counseling — Organizations like First Candle not only provide financial assistance but also offer grief counseling and emotional support to help families navigate their grief journey.
- Community and Understanding — These organizations can connect families with a community of individuals who have experienced similar loss. Sharing experiences and feelings with others who understand can be immensely comforting.
- Memorialization and Healing — Many organizations assist with creating meaningful memorial services or keepsakes, which can aid in the healing process. These services help families cherish the memory of their infant and find closure.
- Awareness and Education — Collaborating with these organizations can also help raise awareness about infant loss and promote education and research on related issues.
Through support organizations and charities, families can access a network of resources, guidance, and emotional support that can make a difference in coping with the loss of an infant.
Conclusion
Remember, during this challenging journey, it’s essential to seek emotional support from loved ones and support organizations.
When it comes to infant cremation costs, reach out to local funeral homes to discuss affordable options and payment plans.
While no amount of financial preparedness can truly alleviate the pain of losing an infant, these measures can help families focus on the grieving process and finding closure without the added stress of financial burdens.
