​Cremation
Cremation allows you to keep your baby’s ashes with you and allows for flexibility in the future. You can choose at a later date to scatter or bury your baby’s ashes in a meaningful place. Almost all funeral homes will cremate a baby at a deeply discounted rate or for free. They will not advertise this. If you have previously dealt with a funeral home that you are comfortable working with again, call them first. If not, ask your nurse for a list of nearby funeral homes. Don’t be discouraged about what you hear from a funeral home. When one doesn’t offer what you need, move on to the next.

​To lessen any cost, consider using the bear from your Rachel’s Gift box as an urn. The funeral home can easily cut your bear along its back, place the bag or vial of cremains inside, and stitch it back up. This can also be done with a special stuffed animal you purchased or received as a gift for your baby. There are also sweet, affordable urns from Heaven’s Gain, Artful Ashes, and others. If there is some associated cost you cannot afford, financial assistance is available. Scroll down to Financial Assistance for a list of organizations dedicated to assisting with the cost of cremation, funeral, and burial.
​

♥  Heaven's Gain​​  
heavensgain.org ​
Personalized urns and baby caskets for any gestation, including 1st trimester.

​♥  Artful Ashes  
artfulashes.com
Beautiful handmade glass art memorials.
​
♥  ​Art From Ashes  
​artfromashes.com
Handcrafted glass remembrances.
​

​Burial
Burial allows your baby to be laid to rest in a place special to you. This option is typically the most costly. Often, cemeteries will let you bury your baby in another family member’s plot or have a special section for infants where the cost is better than purchasing an individual plot. If burial is your desire, resources and financial assistance are available — especially if you are a military family. Talk to several funeral homes to see who will offer you the best pricing. Many funeral homes are very generous when it comes to infant burial, and places like Trappist Caskets offer infant and toddler caskets at no cost (excluding shipping.)
​

​​♥  ​Trappist Caskets​​​  
​trappistcaskets.com/caskets
Made by the Trappist monks of New Melleray Abbey (Peosta, Iowa) and local laypersons. Caskets are built from solid wood (no veneers) using fine woodworking methods. As an important ministry of the monks, caskets are offered at no cost to families who have lost a child. ​Toll-free: (888) 433-6934

♥  Military Families
To find out what resources and financial assistance are available to you, first contact your (or your spouse's) Commander or First Sergeant and then contact your Chaplain. 
​

​Hospital Disposition
Hospital disposition is a free option and all it requires is for you to sign a form. However, a lot of parents who choose this option have regrets later. In most situations parents have no idea where their baby ended up, they don’t have a place to go visit their child, or they don’t have their baby’s ashes with them always. Laws vary by state as to what gestational ages can be offered this option, so ask your nurse for clarification. Always consider your hospital’s procedures carefully when choosing this option.
​

​Chaplain Services
Your hospital has a Chaplain Services or Pastoral Care office staffed with caring individuals who are knowledgeable about end of life care. Even if you do not wish for faith services for your baby, consider requesting a chaplain or social worker come and talk with you to answer questions and discuss concerns about your options.
​

​Burial Gowns
Your hospital should have a supply of burial gowns, wraps, and Bridget's Cradles supplied by Rachel's Gift for you to choose something dignified and beautiful for your son or daughter to be sent off in. If your hospital does not have burial garments available, please email us at info@rachelsgift.org and we will make arrangements to get something to you.
​