NI Assembly Finance Committee Marks Baby Loss Awareness Week with a Commitment to Legislative Change

The Northern Ireland Assembly Finance Committee today joined families, charities, and communities across Northern Ireland in marking Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025.

The Committee took the opportunity to highlight its ongoing work to legislate for the introduction of Baby Loss Certificates here in Northern Ireland.

Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from October 9th to 15th, is a time for remembering the more than 2,000 babies lost each year in Northern Ireland and for raising awareness of the impacts of baby loss. The campaign's signature 'Turn the UK Pink and Blue' initiative culminates in the global 'Wave of Light' on October 15th, where people light a candle to remember and honour all babies who have died.

The Committee's focus has been on legislating for the introduction of Baby Loss Awareness Certificates, which would provide formal recognition for families who have experienced a loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy. This follows a public consultation and extensive engagement with bereaved parents and advocacy groups.

As part of this consultation, the Committee heard from the Forget Me Not Group - a group dedicated to improving and enhancing the experience of families who have been bereaved through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or the death of a child. The group includes bereaved parents, bereavement midwives and staff involved in the care of parents. They run a number of activities throughout the year and provide a number of essential services to bereaved families to support them.

Kelly Barnes from the group said: "Members of the Forget Me Not Group were invited to Stormont to speak to the Finance Committee about the introduction of Baby Loss Certificates.

"It was a very special day to have our babies names read out and recorded in Stormont.

"We felt very listened to during our talk with the Committee and welcome the public consultation into the certificates.

"It's very important that the opinions of parents effected by baby loss are considered and we hope there will be a speedy implementation of the Certificates."

Adding: "The effect of the implementation of Baby Loss Certificates cannot be put into words - to finally have recognition that our babies existed.

"Memory making is extremely important for bereaved families, and the introduction of the proposed Baby Loss Certificate would be an important stage for bereaved families in their journey."

Chairperson Matthew O'Toole MLA and Deputy Chair Diane Forsythe MLA said: "Baby Loss Awareness Week is a poignant reminder of the profound grief many families endure in silence. The campaign's purpose is to open up conversations and ensure that no one feels alone in their grief.

"Our Committee has heard powerful and moving testimony from those affected, and we are committed to making a tangible change through this legislation. Providing a certificate is a small but hugely significant step in recognising the lives lost of these babies and the validity of the grief their families feel."

The Committee has been working closely with key stakeholders to refine the legislative proposals, ensuring the final scheme is sensitive, accessible, and provides the recognition that bereaved families deserve. The work is a direct response to a compassionate call for change from the public, backed by organisations that provide vital support.

ENDS

Robbie Best, Deputy Communications and Digital Content Officer. Email:
Robbie.Best@niassembly.gov.uk