Funeral for Star Children

You have given your child a name, wished it a long and fulfilling life and were looking forward to a future together with it. And then suddenly it’s all over, because your child died.

Parents of Star Children often feel alone in their grief

When parents have to bury their child, it is always a tragic event. The situation is particularly difficult for parents of star children . They lost their child before or shortly after birth and therefore had no chance to see it grow up. Still, it was her child, a part of her life that will never be forgotten.

Unfortunately, it is often difficult for many parents of star children to have their status as parents recognized by the outside world. Those around them often had no opportunity to get to know them and find it difficult to understand how painful the loss is. So it’s understandable that many parents feel alone with their grief, even if they really aren’t. In our article ” Mourning for a Star Child ” we show you ways and contact points to be able to process the terrible loss.

Recognition of star children long dependent on birth weight

Even from the official side, many parents have not been allowed to have their star children recognized: If a child that was stillborn or died after birth weighed less than 500 grams, it was not recorded as a person according to the civil status ordinance, but as a miscarriage . So for the authorities, these children did not exist, which is very hurtful for the parents concerned. Fortunately, this is about to change in the future. An affected couple from Hesse has reached a change in the law with a petition with more than 40,000 signatures to the Bundestag, so that stillborn children with a lower birth weight can officially be given a name and can be recorded in the family register if the parents so wish.

Official certification important for funerals for star children

This change in the law also has an impact on the burial of “too easy” star children, because actually only “official persons” are subject to the burial obligation. A funeral for star children who weigh less than 500 grams has so far also been possible. However, only anonymously and not against the background of a uniform federal law that officially grants them a resting place. Only “the hygienically impeccable disposal in accordance with moral perception” is stipulated by law. Up to now, the possibility of a burial for star children has depended on the applicable local regulations or the willingness of the responsible municipality. For example, some cities and municipalities offer collective graves for stillborn children or give the opportunity

The forthcoming change in the legal provisions should make it easier for many affected parents to arrange a dignified and, above all, individual burial for their star children, if they so wish. Affected parents can get information about the possibilities, for example, from their hospital or the local cemetery administration.

Funeral for star children important step in mourning

For many parents, the burial of their star child is an important step in saying goodbye. In addition to official recognition that their child existed, it also gives them a place to silently commemorate and find comfort for their star child.