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Baby funerals

A message for bereaved parents

On behalf of Blackpool Council's bereavement services, please accept our heartfelt condolences at this sad time following the loss of your baby. This information has been designed to help you make a decision around your preferred choice of funeral and outlines the options available to you. It is your right to decide if you prefer the hospital to make the arrangements for you or if you wish to take full control yourself, by instructing a funeral director.

Carleton baby memorial garden

Carleton baby memorial garden was established in 1993 and is dedicated to the memory of all babies who have died. We have worked closely with SANDS (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Society) and Blackpool Victoria Hospital Bereavement Team, to create a special place of rest.

The garden is situated in a quiet, peaceful part of the cemetery, close to the memorial rose garden, and provides somewhere for all those who have been touched by the loss of a baby, to sit and reflect in a place of peace and tranquility.

The garden features a unique stone sculpture of hands cradling a baby, circled by stone benches with the inscription "No time to say hello" "No time to say goodbye"

Within the garden is a memorial provided by SANDS and 2 walls displaying memorial tablets. There is also the option of purchasing a plaque on a bench, in memory of your baby. 

Hospital arrangement

The hospital can arrange for your baby to be cremated at Carleton Crematorium by prior arrangement, please contact the hospital for more details. A short service of reflection will take place every Tuesday at 9.00 am for all babies received from the hospital.

Burials

Carleton Cemetery has a designated garden for burials. This area is only available for babies up to 1 year of age.

Graves are available for individual baby burials, with the exception of multiple births, which can be placed together.

A service can be held in the chapel at 9.00am beforehand, or you can have a short grave side service whcih will be held at 9.30am.

Rules of the baby memorial garden

These rules are in place to enable the grounds maintenance team to carry out their duties effectively within health and safety guidelines.

  • A small headstone may be erected on a grave. The monumental mason must be BRAMM or NAMM registered and hold a permit to carry out work within the cemetery. A list of local monumental masons is available from the bereavement service
  • An 18" stone surround can be provided to place your memorials.  These memorials are left at your own risk with no responsibility to the council. Please do not place or plant anything outside the 18" surround as this will result in us being unable to maintain the grass around your grave. 
  • Please do not place any fencing beyond the 18" area
  • Gravel or decorative chippings are not allowed outside the 18" area
  • Glass or pot vases are not allowed
  • Small solar lights are permitted, however battery powered are not allowed due to the safety issue of the batteries
  • All graves remain in the ownership of Blackpool Council
  • Any floral or seasonal tributes will be removed when the flowers have passed their best or a period of 3 weeks has elapsed

Please note: Babies up to 1 year that are buried in other sections of the cemetery, are subject to the rules that apply to lawned graves and do not transfer any of the special rules that apply to this section.

Cremation

The cremation service is usually held at 3.30pm in the chapel.

If you have indicated on the cremation form that you would like to collect the ashes, we will endeavour to provide them for you. However, unfortunately this is not always possible with an early gestation baby. 

If the ashes have not been collected 6 weeks after the cremation, we will send a reminder asking you to contact within the following 2 weeks. If no contact is made, we will scatter the ashes within the baby memorial garden.

Events

A number of baby memorial events are held throughout the year. You can find out more about events happening near you on the SANDS webpage 

Useful contacts

Blackpool and Preston SANDS

Local helpline: 07938 977676 OR 07736 781683
Email: blackpoolpreston@sandsvolunteer.org.uk
Blackpool and Preston SANDS website

The Miscarriage Association

Telephone:  01924 200799
Email: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk

Blackpool and Fylde Cot Death Group (Sheila)

Telephone: 01253 723523

Child Bereavement UK

Tel: 0800 028 8840
Email: support@childbereavement.org

If you require any further information or guidance please contact the bereavement services on 01253 882541.