Answers and Options for Dealing with a Miscarriage

Understanding

Trust in God's mercy for the soul of the unbaptized child - that there is hope of salvation for the child who died without baptism.

What can Christians do when they have a miscarriage?

Be at peace.

There is hope and reason to believe our children through the great love and mercy of God are with Him in heaven. God desires that all souls should be saved with Jesus expressing a special tenderness toward children saying "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them"; giving hope that there is a way of salvation for children who died before Baptism. The Lord’s mercy is never exhausted, it is without limit.

What to do with a miscarriage fetus?

Burial

Many cemeteries offer free burial services for miscarried babies. Contact your pastor for information about local cemeteries. You may need a letter from your physician certifying that the remains are ‘the product of conception.’

The Remains

If you physically handle any fetus tissue, wear medical grade gloves. Place physical remains in a vessel with saline solution, secure the lid and refrigerate until burial or transfer to a funeral home.

Decision Making

Discuss details, questions, options, your concerns and feelings with your physician and priest or pastor.

Memorial Services

Some cemeteries offer special services to remember the baby such as Mass or prayer service where you may request that your baby’s name be included.

Liturgical Rites (public worshop)

Contact your priest or pastor to request Blessings of Parents After Miscarriage or Stillbirth. Other rites and options may be available as well – a Vigil for a Deceased Child, a Funeral or Memorial Liturgy, the Rite of Committal and Rite of Final Commendation for an Infant.

Support Groups

There are support groups for pregnancy and infant-loss ; for example the Facebook group “Mommy to a Little Saint”.

Honoring Your Baby

Consider: Creating an "In Memory" memorial funding page; Planting a tree or flowers; Investigate if your hospital provides a 'certificate in memory' of your baby

MORE...

Heaven's Gain Ministries

https://heavensgain.org/services-2/ 513 888-4200

Heaven’s Gain Ministries’ mission is to provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of families experiencing pregnancy loss; before, during and after the delivery of their precious baby.

All services are FREE.

Rachel's Gift

https://www.rachelsgift.org/about

Aleteia

Trappist monks traditionally give away caskets to families of lost children through miscarriage https://aleteia.org/2022/12/09/trappist-monks-give-free-caskets-for-children-and-babies-including-those-lost-to-miscarriage

How to help someone going through a miscarriage?

1. Acknowledge their loss.

2. Choose your words carefully.

3. Increase your knowledge.

4. Listen without trying to fix things.

5. Offer practical support.

6. Try not to take anything personally.

7. Don't assume that they are 'over it' after a while.