Miscarriage & stillbirth
Losing a child during pregnancy or shortly after birth is a particularly hard situation for parents and families. At the same time, many questions arise: Can our child be buried? Which documents do we need? What happens in hospital after the birth? And how can an Islamic burial be arranged?
Jannah Bestattung supports families through the necessary steps and arranges a dignified Islamic burial that respects both religious requirements and the applicable legal and local rules.
Miscarriage, stillbirth or death after birth
Miscarriage
If the child showed no signs of life at birth and the legal criteria for a stillbirth are not met, it is legally classed as a miscarriage for civil registration purposes.
Parents of a miscarried child may also wish to give their child a dignified burial of its own. The specific requirements depend in particular on the burial laws of the federal state concerned and on local regulations.
Stillbirth
For civil registration purposes, it is a stillbirth if the child showed no signs of life after separation from the mother and:
- the birth weight is at least 500 grams, or
- with a birth weight below 500 grams, at least the 24th week of pregnancy was reached.
A stillbirth is registered at the registry office and entered in the register of births.
Born alive and died afterwards
If the child showed signs of life after birth and died afterwards, it is not legally a miscarriage or a stillbirth.
In this case, the birth and the subsequent death are each registered accordingly.
Can our child be buried?
Depending on the case and the applicable burial regulations, parents have the option of arranging an individual burial for their child.
A burial may also be possible after a miscarriage. The specific requirements can differ because of the burial law of the individual federal states and local cemetery regulations.
Jannah Bestattung works out with the parents what options exist in their specific case and which steps are needed for the burial they wish.
Three situations, three paths
After a miscarriage
A miscarriage is generally not registered as a birth in the civil register.
However, parents can report a miscarriage to the registry office and receive a certificate if they wish.
For arranging the burial, a certificate or proof from the hospital or clinic may also be relevant.
After a stillbirth
If the legal criteria for a stillbirth are met, it is registered at the registry office.
The parents receive the relevant civil registration documents that may be needed for the next steps or the burial.
At the parents' request, a first name for the child can also be entered in the register of births in the case of a stillbirth.
If the child lived and then died
If the child showed signs of life after birth and died afterwards, the birth and the death are registered accordingly.
For the next steps, the relevant civil registration documents or the death certificate are needed.
You do not have to find out for yourself which documents are needed in your case. Jannah Bestattung works out with you which documents are required and which next steps must be taken.
What happens in hospital?
If the child is still in a hospital or clinic and the parents wish to arrange a burial of their own, the necessary organisational requirements must first be clarified.
This includes checking which documents are available or needed and when the child can be released into our care.
Jannah Bestattung can then coordinate the organisational steps needed for the burial.
Eight steps with Jannah Bestattung
Getting in touch
The parents or relatives contact Jannah Bestattung and briefly describe the situation.
Clarification
Together we clarify whether it is a miscarriage, a stillbirth or a death after a live birth, and which documents are already available.
Required documents
We clarify which documents are needed for the specific case and the planned burial.
Coordination
The organisational steps needed for the burial are coordinated with the responsible authorities.
Release into our care
As soon as the necessary requirements are met, the release of the child into our care can be arranged.
Islamic preparation
The religious preparation is carried out in accordance with the Islamic rulings that apply to the particular case.
Cemetery and burial
The necessary steps for the cemetery, the grave and the burial are organised and coordinated.
Burial
Finally, the dignified burial takes place.
The Islamic burial
The Islamic treatment of a miscarriage or stillbirth is a sensitive subject.
Depending on the stage of pregnancy and the specific situation, individual rulings of Islamic law may differ.
Jannah Bestattung observes the Islamic rulings relevant to each case in the preparation and the burial.
Where can the child be buried?
Depending on the place and the cemetery, a suitable grave or a dedicated burial section can be chosen.
The specific options vary from cemetery to cemetery.
If an Islamic burial is wished for, we check what options exist at the desired place of burial.
Burial with or without a coffin
Whether a burial without a coffin is possible depends on the applicable legal and local rules and on the regulations of the particular cemetery.
As part of the arrangements, Jannah Bestattung clarifies which form of burial is possible at the cemetery in question.
A name for the child
Naming the child can also be deeply meaningful for parents.
In the case of a stillbirth, a first name for the child can be entered in the register of births at the parents' request.
After a miscarriage, too, it is possible to report it to the registry office and receive a certificate.
Arrangements and support
In such a situation, parents should not be burdened with needlessly complicated procedures on top of everything else.
Jannah Bestattung helps with arranging the burial and works out with the family which documents and further steps are needed in their specific case.
Frequently asked questions
Is a miscarriage the same as a stillbirth?
No. Civil registration law distinguishes between a miscarriage, a stillbirth and a live birth followed by death.
When is it considered a stillbirth?
If the child showed no signs of life and weighs at least 500 grams, or, at a lower weight, at least the 24th week of pregnancy was reached, it is legally a stillbirth.
Can a miscarried child also be buried?
A burial may be possible depending on the applicable state and local regulations. The specific requirements are checked for each case.
Which documents do we need?
That depends on whether it is a miscarriage, a stillbirth or a death after a live birth. Jannah Bestattung works out with the parents which documents are needed in their specific case.
Do we need documents from the hospital?
Especially after a miscarriage, a certificate or proof from the hospital or clinic may be relevant for the next steps.
Do we have to go to the registry office?
That depends on the specific situation. Stillbirths are registered at the registry office. A miscarriage can also be reported to the registry office in order to receive a certificate.
Do we need a death certificate?
If the child was born alive and died afterwards, the death is registered accordingly. In the case of a stillbirth, it is registered as a stillbirth instead.
Can our child be given a name?
In the case of a stillbirth, a first name can be entered in the register of births on request. After a miscarriage, a corresponding certificate from the registry office can also be applied for.
Is an Islamic burial possible?
Jannah Bestattung arranges Islamic burials that respect the religious requirements of each case as well as the legal and local rules.
Is every child washed according to Islamic rites?
The religious rulings may differ depending on the specific situation and the stage of pregnancy.
Is there always a funeral prayer?
Here too, the requirements of Islamic law may differ depending on the situation.
Can the child be buried without a coffin?
That depends on the legal and local rules and on the regulations of the particular cemetery. The specific possibility is clarified for the place of burial.
Where can our child be buried?
The available graves and burial sections differ from cemetery to cemetery and place to place. The options are checked for the desired place of burial.
How quickly can the burial take place?
That depends on, among other things, the required documents, the release, the cemetery and the applicable regulations.
What do we as parents have to do ourselves?
Jannah Bestattung discusses with the parents which steps are needed in their specific case and which organisational tasks we can take on as part of the funeral.
We are with you for the next steps
If you would like to give your miscarried, stillborn or newborn child who died after birth an Islamic burial, you can contact Jannah Bestattung directly. Together we will talk through the situation and clarify the necessary next steps.