Like many good ideas, the Child Funeral Charity came about through personal experience. I've been in education most of my life and all Trustees are involved in the funeral industry.
Together, we discussed some of the heart-breaking tales we've heard of families who have suffered the loss of a baby (or child) and then endured real financial hardship when faced with paying all the funeral costs.
When you've invested your savings in preparation for baby's arrival there is often very little left over and, in the middle of an emotional maelstrom, being faced with funeral-related bills can be overwhelming.
We acknowledge that many funeral directors, clergy and celebrants do not charge for baby's or children's funerals, but other expenses will add up, such as a casket or flowers, and that's where the Child Funeral Charity comes in.
Our aim is not to replace the Government's Social Fund, which (eventually) helps some low-income families if they need assistance to pay for funeral costs, instead we will be offering support as a matter of urgency, when families really need it.
Those of you who have encountered the Social Fund will be aware of the pages of forms to be filled in, followed by a lengthy wait for a decision, which in some cases can delay funeral plans.
Our goal is to give families a response within 48 hours, enabling them to get on with the arrangements safe in the knowledge that at least part of the cost, up to £700 per family, will be covered.
How we decide on who we can help is down to our trustees and the input from the bereavement-related professionals who refer families to us in the first place—and that's where midwives come in.
We're not asking you to become financial experts or to ask intrusive questions about a family's circumstances, rather we are relying on your knowledge and relationship with them that you have built over the weeks and months of pregnancy to recognise when someone needs help.
It may be a family that already has other children and is simply unable to find several hundred pounds at short notice; there may be other demands on the family purse- strings, such as caring for a sick relative; or perhaps the mother has been unwell during the pregnancy and the savings have gone on paying essential bills.
The application form is simple and requires just an explanation of what is needed and why. Once approved, we will put the family in touch with the relevant supplier—Colourful Coffins and Interflora are among those supporting the charity.
All monies will be paid directly to the supplying organisation, so at no point will families need to worry about handling the money.
As well as midwives, we will also be accepting referrals from other professionals, such as GPs, bereavement nurses, faith representatives and funeral directors.
At our launch day in July, we were touched by the many words of encouragement and support which endorsed our own view that there was a real need for an organisation like the Child Funeral Charity. Among our supporters was national newspaper columnist and author Bel Mooney, who spoke movingly of her own loss of a baby and has agreed to become one of our patrons.
Between now and October we are embarking on a fundraising drive to enable us to help as many families as we can in the future.
We know we won't be able to say yes to everyone, especially as the charity will also help families who lose a child up to, and including, the age of 16.
We do hope that you will use your professional opinion and relationship with parents, to let us know where you can see families facing real financial hardship, simply because they want to give their baby a very special farewell.
To find out more, please visit:
- www.childfuneralcharity.org.uk
- enquiries@childfuneralcharity.org.uk