Louisiana Compassionate Burial Options ACT 2016

Under 20 weeks gestation:

For babies under 20 weeks gestation, parents may obtain the remains of their miscarried child for a burial or cremation as follows:

Not more than 24 hours after the miscarriage occurs in a health facility, the facility must notify the patient (or spouse or legal guardian) both orally and in writing of the parent’s right to arrange for final disposition of the child. The facility will provide the Notice of Parental Rights Form (https://prolifelouisiana.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/noticeofparentalrights.pdf) to the patient.

The form must be signed and returned to the health facility within 48 hours.

The fetal remains must be obtained from the facility within 72 hours from the hospital's receipt of the signed notification or the health facility may make final disposition of the remains according to state law. (Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the hospital if testing is to be carried out to determine gender etc.)

Over 20 weeks gestation, or over 12 ounces:

A certificate of spontaneous fetal death (stillbirth) is required for a stillbirth after 20 weeks of gestation or if the baby weighs 12 ounces or more at the time of birth.

The certificate must be prepared by a funeral director and filed within five days of the death.