The scheme allows eligible parents to apply for a commemorative Baby Loss Certificate where a baby was lost before the end of the 24th week of pregnancy. Applications can be made for both recent and historical losses, with no requirement for medical evidence and no deadline for applying.

Welcoming the launch, Carla Lockhart MP said:

“I am very pleased to see the Baby Loss Certificate Scheme officially launched in Northern Ireland. This is an important and compassionate step in recognising every precious baby and acknowledging the profound loss experienced by so many families.”

“Following the introduction of a similar scheme in England, I have been among those lobbying alongside colleagues to see this important recognition extended to families in Northern Ireland. I am delighted that those efforts have now come to fruition.”

“For many parents, the loss of a baby during pregnancy is a grief that never truly leaves them. While no certificate can take away that pain, it can provide meaningful recognition of a much-loved and much-missed baby and offer families a lasting acknowledgement of their loss.”

“For too long, many parents have carried this heartbreak quietly, often feeling that their loss was not fully recognised. These certificates provide an opportunity for families to have that loss acknowledged in a sensitive and dignified way.”

“I particularly welcome the fact that there is no time limit on applications, meaning families can apply whether their loss was recent or many years ago. The process has also been designed with compassion at its heart, with no requirement for medical evidence and no obligation on anyone to apply.”

“Applications can now be made through the NI Direct website. The scheme is available to eligible parents who experienced the loss of a baby before 24 weeks’ gestation, and certificates can be requested for both recent and historical losses.”

“Every baby matters and every loss matters. I hope this scheme will bring comfort to many families across Northern Ireland and provide a meaningful tribute to the precious lives that will never be forgotten.”



Further information on the Baby Loss Certificate Scheme, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, is available through the NI Direct website.