What about the childs remains?

[ajb14]

What happens to the remains of the children who have died of a miscarriage at 8,10,12 weeks.What is done? Are they blessed ?buried? ,sent to the lab? I was just wondering ?

 

[batteddy]

They can be buried and usually even have a funeral if the parents want. They should talk to their diocese’s office of catholic cemeteries.

 

[Katie1723]

The hospital I work at (Catholic, BTW) offers the parents the option of a "shared " burial or one of their own choosing.
~ Kathy ~

 

[JessHav]

I noticed you used specific weeks…in the first trimester in your question. Is there another place that older babies go…ones like 16, 20, etc. (big enough to be formed but young enough not to have a “casket” funeral?) Just asking because I’m curious…

Jess

 

[Katie1723]

JessHav:

I noticed you used specific weeks…in the first trimester in your question. Is there another place that older babies go…ones like 16, 20, etc. (big enough to be formed but young enough not to have a “casket” funeral?) Just asking because I’m curious…

Jess

In my hospital, parents are given the option of having the hospital take care of things or they themselves. Generally speaking after 16 weeks, most parents opt to have a burial of their own choosing
~ Kathy ~

 

[Mary]

I know a couple who had at least two miscarriages. They named their children and had them baptized and buried. I thought that was beautiful, and truly pro-life, recognizing the dignity and humanity of their unborn children.

 

[Catholic_Heart]

Katie1723:

The hospital I work at (Catholic, BTW) offers the parents the option of a "shared " burial or one of their own choosing.

                         ~ Kathy ~

Friends of ours opted for a “shared” burial for their miscarried child, mostly because of the expense. I went with them once, to visit the gravesite, and it was very well cared for.

 

[Karin]

Mary:

I know a couple who had at least two miscarriages. They named their children and had them baptized and buried. I thought that was beautiful, and truly pro-life, recognizing the dignity and humanity of their unborn children.

Ok I can understand naming the children and having them buried…but I was always taught that only the living could be baptized…since when did the Church start baptizing dead people/children…I thought it was only the JW’s that did this?

 

[Princess_Abby]

Karin:

Ok I can understand naming the children and having them buried…but I was always taught that only the living could be baptized…since when did the Church start baptizing dead people/children…I thought it was only the JW’s that did this?

The soul does not always leave the body immediately following death. Some priests seem to baptize underneath that idea in situations with babies and hope the soul is still there; if not, the baby is probably covered underneath ‘baptism of desire,’ as the parents’ clearly demonstrate their desire for it.

 

[Karin]

Princess_Abby:

The soul does not always leave the body immediately following death. Some priests seem to baptize underneath that idea in situations with babies and hope the soul is still there; if not, the baby is probably covered underneath ‘baptism of desire,’ as the parents’ clearly demonstrate their desire for it.

So does this work for an adult also? An adult that has just died can be baptized?

 

[Princess_Abby]

Karin:

So does this work for an adult also? An adult that has just died can be baptized?

The priest can choose to administer the sacrament on faith and hope that it applies. The soul CAN leave immediately but it doesn’t always–so we or the priest can hold hope that the soul is still present. The same holds true for last rites–anointing of the sick, which preferrably should happen while the person is still alive but if the priest should arrive just after death, he would probably still administer it.

One caveat–if you’re referring to a person who through their very last dying breath, denied God and/or the desire for baptism, then it is not a good idea to force the sacrament upon them. I have been told that to go against their informed will (assuming they’re informed) is not appropriate.

 

[Agricola]

My sister had three miscarriages. She and her husband named, baptized, and had a proper Christian burial for all of them. I believe that they did this out of a knowledge of the true “dignity and humanity of their unborn children”, as Mary said.

I have a great amount of respect for my sister and her husband because of this. I only hope that I would have the faith and presence of mind to do the same if such a tragedy befall my future spouse and myself.

God bless,

Agricola

 

[carol_marie]

Karin:

Ok I can understand naming the children and having them buried…but I was always taught that only the living could be baptized…since when did the Church start baptizing dead people/children…I thought it was only the JW’s that did this?

JW’s don’t do this… I think it’s actually the Mormons?