Defined as a foetus that died before being born.
Criteria for a foetus is defined as
- Weighed 400g or more when it issued from its mother; or
- Delivered after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Thus, if there was breathing and/or a heart beat after birth of a preterm infant, it is not covered under this section. Standard cremation regulations apply.
Note that gestational age refers to number of weeks in utero, regardless of whether the foetus died weeks before delivery.
Stillbirths do not require a Cremation Certificate from a Referee.
A midwife’s certificate can be issued if no doctor was present at the delivery
NB: if a still-born foetus was less than 20th week of pregnancy and weighed less than 400g at birth, there are no burial or cremation regulations applicable to this scenario.