Sensitive disposal arrangements of pregnancy remains

This page explains what your options are for what happens to your pregnancy remains.

Histopathology

After any surgical procedure to remove pregnancy remains after a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, or surgical removal of post-pregnancy retained tissue, we may recommend histological examination of these remains. This means that the remains are examined in the laboratory under a microscope. After histopathology examination, tissue block and slides will be retained in line with Royal

College of Pathology guidelines

Why is histopathology recommended?

This is done to confirm the presence of pregnancy remains and to ensure there are no changes of molar pregnancy. This is particularly important if no fetus is seen on a scan. We will contact you if the histopathology examination shows molar pregnancy. Molar pregnancy is a rare condition where there is an abnormal growth of the cells which should become the placenta. It affects around 1 in 600 pregnancies and needs follow up and sometimes treatment to ensure that it resolves and does not develop into a more serious condition.

Sensitive disposal

After the histopathology examination is complete the pregnancy remains will be sensitively disposed of. The Trust can organise disposal by communal cremation or alternatively you can make private arrangements.

What are the options?

The hospital can arrange that your pregnancy remains are cremated. Please note that this is a combined cremation with other pregnancy remains. The cremations usually take place once a month. Unfortunately, it is not possible to change the time or date of the service.

It usually takes a few weeks for the mortuary at Hillingdon Hospital to receive pregnancy remains back from histopathology or cytogenetic testing so there can be some delay before the cremation occurs. Please note, this is an unattended cremation.

You may wish to make your own arrangements for a private burial or cremation. The crematorium or burial grounds will need a certificate confirming that the pregnancy ended before 24 weeks, which we can provide for you at the time of your procedure. 
You may wish to consider taking your pregnancy remains home to bury yourself.

Current national guidelines state that legally you can take the pregnancy remains home with you for burial outside of a cemetery, providing certain requirements are met:

• It must not cause any danger to others
• It must not interfere with any rights other people may have on the land
• There must be no danger to water supplies or watercourses
• There must be no chance of bodily fluids leaking into or onto adjoining land
• The fetal tissue must be buried at a depth of at least 18 inches(45cm)
• Permission must be obtained from the landowner if the parents do not own the land

Careful thought must be given when considering burial in a garden, taking into account what would happen if the parents moved house or the land is used for new purpose in the future. We suggest you use a plant container that you can move to another house if necessary. If this is your choice the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) can provide you with additional information on this choice.

What if I cannot make a decision concerning the disposal of my pregnancy remains?

If you are undecided then we will keep your pregnancy remains in the mortuary. Please contact the chaplaincy at Hillingdon Hospital when you have made a decision. If we have not heard from you within 12 weeks then the pregnancy remains will be cremated.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you require information, support or advice about our services, you can contact the PALS office on the Ground Floor of the hospital just behind the main reception. You can also contact the PALS team via email thh-tr.PALS@nhs.net or telephone 01895 279973. We value your opinion and invite you to provide us with feedback.

Support

If you feel you require any further support or have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the EGAU team. A chaplain is also available for pastoral support.

Useful contacts at Hillingdon Hospital

Early Gynaecology Ambulatory Unit — 01895 279440
Hillingdon Hospital chaplaincy — 01895 279433

Useful contacts elsewhere

Miscarriage Association
T: 01924 200799 (helpline)
E: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
T: 020 7733 2653
E: ept@ectopic.org.uk

The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management
T: 020 8989 4661
E: iccmjulie@gmail.com 

The Maternity Trauma and Loss Service 
St Charles Hospital, Exmoor Street, London W10 6DZ 
T: 020 7685 6384
E: cnwl.maternitytlc@nhs.net