Government Benefits and Financial Assistance After Stillbirth

What Financial Help Exists (and What Doesn't)

When a baby is stillborn, the costs don't stop. Hospital bills, funeral expenses, and lost income from maternity or bereavement leave arrive whether or not you're in any condition to deal with them. But government support varies dramatically by country — and in many places, the system simply wasn't designed with stillbirth in mind.

Here's what's actually available in the four major English-speaking jurisdictions, along with the nonprofit programs that fill the gaps where government falls short.

United Kingdom: Children's Funeral Fund

In England, the Children's Funeral Fund for England (CFF), established in 2019, covers burial fees, cremation fees, and up to £300 toward a coffin or casket for any baby stillborn after 24 weeks' gestation. The fund is non-means-tested — family income doesn't affect eligibility.

Funeral directors and burial authorities claim directly from the Ministry of Justice, so families should never receive a bill for covered items. If a provider tries to charge you, ask them to submit a CFF claim instead.

The Child Funeral Charity provides supplemental grants for items the CFF doesn't cover: flowers, service programs, memorial plaques, and transport costs. Northern Ireland operates its own Child Funeral Fund, paying a flat lump sum of £3,441 to the family or funeral director.

After a stillbirth from the start of the 24th week of pregnancy, an eligible employee can take up to 52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Leave. Statutory Maternity Pay is available for up to 39 weeks if the birth parent has worked for the employer continuously for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the due date and earns an average of at least £129 a week in 2026/27. An eligible partner can take up to 2 weeks of Statutory Paternity Leave; Statutory Paternity Pay requires 26 weeks of continuous employment up to the end of the qualifying week and average earnings of at least £129 a week in 2026/27. Each parent can take up to 2 weeks of Parental Bereavement Leave within 56 weeks (called Jack's Law in Great Britain). In Great Britain, Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay requires at least 26 weeks of continuous employment and average weekly earnings of at least £129 a week in 2026/27; in Northern Ireland, for stillbirths on or after 6 April 2026, the 26-week service requirement was removed, but the earnings test remains. These are statutory entitlements — your employer cannot deny them if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Australia: Stillborn Baby Payment and Parental Leave Pay

Australia provides a Stillborn Baby Payment through Services Australia (Centrelink). As of 2026, this is a one-time lump sum for a stillbirth at 20 or more weeks of gestation or where the baby weighs at least 400 grams at birth. Eligibility is means-tested using the family's adjusted taxable income: the current limit is $79,955 for the six months after delivery, with an alternative route for families eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A within 52 weeks.

To claim, the doctor or midwife who attended the birth must complete the Proof of Birth declaration or provide a hospital letter with the birth details. Apply online through a Centrelink account linked to myGov; if you cannot claim online, call the Child Bereavement and Double Orphan Pension helpdesk. Submit the claim within 52 weeks of the baby's birth.

Families can claim either the Stillborn Baby Payment or Parental Leave Pay for a stillborn baby. From 1 July 2026, eligible families can receive up to 26 weeks of Parental Leave Pay at the national minimum wage. The employer cannot cancel or reduce planned parental leave because of a stillbirth. Employees are also entitled to 2 days of compassionate leave per occasion under the Fair Work Act.

Red Nose and Bears of Hope offer 24/7 grief support lines, peer mentorship, specialized counseling, and memory boxes.

Canada: EI Maternity Benefits

Canada does not offer a specific stillbirth payment, but Employment Insurance (EI) maternity benefits apply. An eligible birth parent whose pregnancy ends in week 20 or later can receive up to 15 weeks of EI maternity benefits at 55% of average insurable earnings (up to the maximum insurable amount).

EI parental benefits are not available after a stillbirth. If a child dies after birth while parental benefits are being paid, those benefits end as of the week after the loss. If a parent is physically or psychologically unable to return to work after the 15-week maternity period, they can apply for EI sickness benefits (up to 26 weeks with a medical certificate from a doctor).

Provincial bereavement leave ranges from 1 to 5 unpaid days depending on the province. Federally regulated employees qualify for up to 8 weeks of unpaid leave specifically for stillbirth.

Direct government burial subsidies for stillbirth are generally unavailable in North America. Some funeral homes offer reduced-cost services for infant burials; Canadian families can also ask local bereavement organizations about other assistance.

United States: The Biggest Gap

The US has no federal government payment for stillbirth. There is no equivalent to the UK's funeral fund or Australia's Stillborn Baby Payment.

What does exist:

• FMLA leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave. The birthing parent's postpartum physical recovery after a stillbirth can qualify as a "serious health condition." Note: for private employers, FMLA generally covers employers with 50 or more employees; public agencies and schools are covered regardless of size. Employees also generally need 12 months of service, 1,250 hours during the 12 months before leave starts, and a worksite with at least 50 employees within 75 miles.
• State-level disability or paid leave. California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Hawaii offer short-term disability insurance that can cover part of wages during postpartum recovery. Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program can also cover qualifying postpartum recovery, including after stillbirth.
• California Reproductive Loss Leave. California's Reproductive Loss Leave law requires covered employers to provide eligible employees a minimum of 5 days of unpaid leave per event (up to 20 days in a year for multiple events), separate from other leave entitlements. Eligibility begins after 30 days of employment at a public employer of any size or a private employer with at least 5 employees.
• Social Security. The SSA does not issue Social Security Numbers for stillborn babies. Parents cannot claim a stillborn baby as a dependent or for the federal Child Tax Credit.

For funeral costs, the US relies almost entirely on nonprofit organizations. The TEARS Foundation provides financial assistance for burial and cremation when funds are available. The Chasing the Rainbows Foundation (Melanie Brynn Legacy Fund) specifically helps families who cannot afford to claim their baby's remains from the hospital morgue. Some hospitals have bereavement social workers who can connect families with local assistance programs.

How to Claim What You're Entitled To

Regardless of country, the same pattern applies: you need medical documentation of the stillbirth, and you need to file within specific windows.

Start with the hospital's bereavement coordinator or social worker — they should know which local programs apply and can provide the medical certificates required for claims. If your hospital doesn't have a dedicated bereavement coordinator, ask the labor and delivery charge nurse for a referral to the hospital social work department.

Keep copies of every document: the medical certificate of stillbirth, the fetal death certificate, any autopsy or pathology reports, and all correspondence with government agencies. If a claim is denied, you'll need these for the appeal.

The After a Stillbirth guide includes a country-specific document tracker and delegation scripts to help a family advocate handle these claims on your behalf while you focus on recovery.