In Wallonia it will soon be possible to bury a fetus that has died before the sixth month of pregnancy in a family grave or to have the body cremated and take the ashes home. The Walloon government approved an amendment to the funeral decree.
Until today, parents who wanted a physical funeral ceremony for a fetus they lost between the 106th and 180th day of pregnancy could only choose a ‘star meadow’ in certain cemeteries where the fetus can be buried or scattered. However, it was not possible to bury the child in, for example, a family grave or to take an urn with ashes home or to place them in a columbarium. That is now possible.
For Minister Christophe Collignon, responsible for local authorities, it is a matter of “humanity”. There was therefore a need for “a clear framework for respectful legislation”, he said in a press release.
The adjustment of the rules regarding funerals and cremations has no impact on the criteria regarding registration with the civil registry. Parents can request registration from 140 days of pregnancy, but this is mandatory from 180 days.
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