All babies and pregnancy tissue will be treated with care and respect.
Following a pregnancy loss, pregnancy remains (under 24 weeks gestation) are sent from wards and clinical areas to the Pathology department.
The pregnancy remains are examined by Cellular Pathology staff to see if there are any obvious signs of foetal tissue being present.
Routine testing of foetal tissue to establish the cause of pregnancy loss will not be carried out. Testing of non-foetal tissue (such as placental tissue) is routinely performed. This is useful when no obvious foetal tissue is seen initially and can be used to confirm that the tissue is indeed pregnancy remains.
Following examination, all foetal and pregnancy remains are sent for cremation at Saltwell Crematorium in Gateshead. All families are welcome to attend the service. Please contact the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit based within the Women’s Health Clinic Department (0191 445 2742) or the Trust Chaplaincy (0191 445 2072) for more information.
You may wish to make your own arrangements for private burial or cremation, please contact the Trust Chaplaincy for further advice and assistance.
What Health and Safety issues should I be aware of?
The pregnancy may have been preserved in a dilute solution of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a toxic substance, although this preservative will have been removed, there remains a small risk to health if this were to come into contact with the skin, or be inhaled. It can also be irritating to eyes. It is strongly recommended that the container remains closed until burial or cremation has taken place.
If your chosen option is private burial, you should be aware of the following:
- It must not cause danger to others
- It must not interfere with the rights that others have on the land
- There must be no danger of contamination to water supplies, rivers etc.
- The container must be sealed with no possibility of leakage
- The pregnancy tissue must be buried at a depth of at least 18 inches (45cm)
- Permission must be obtained from the landowner if you do not own the land
- Careful thought should be given when considering burial in a garden. It is advisable to consider what would happen if you were to move house, or if the land were to be used for other purposes in the future.
If you wish to proceed with private burial, please contact the hospitals Trust Chaplaincy department to allow for arrangements and collection to be coordinated.
Please note, this may not be possible until several weeks after your miscarriage.
The pregnancy remains will be returned to you in a biodegradable container. This container is not suitable for long term storage.
You will be asked to sign a form to confirm that you have received the pregnancy remains and to confirm that you understand the safety and environmental implications.
What happens if I change my mind?
If you feel that private burial is no longer the right choice for you, please contact the Hospital Chaplaincy or the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit who will be happy to support you in making alternative arrangements.
Remember, we have a respectful monthly service available should you prefer. This takes place on the first Thursday, of the second month, after a pregnancy loss.
Contact Details
Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU)
Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
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Useful Websites
• Human Tissue Authority (HTA): www.hta.gov.uk/faqs/disposal-pregnancy-remains-faqs
• Miscarriage Association: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
• Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM): www.iccm-uk.com/iccm/
- Sands: www.uk-sands.org