Child Funeral — Practical Advice and Support for Parents

Introduction

We understand that you are going through the most painful period imaginable. A child's funeral is one of life's most difficult situations — and yet practical matters that need to be resolved are pressing upon you. We want you to know that you are not alone and that there is no "right" way to get through this time.

This article is intended for parents who have lost a child — whether through perinatal loss, the death of a newborn, or the loss of an older child. You will find practical information about organising a child's funeral in the Czech Republic, about your rights, about financial assistance from the state, and about organisations that can provide you with professional support.

You do not have to deal with everything immediately. You do not have to be strong. You may take your time. And if you feel you need help, the crisis line 116 123 is available around the clock, free of charge.

Every parent grieves differently and every loss is unique. In this guide, we endeavour to provide practical information with the utmost respect for your pain, so that you can focus on what matters most to you right now — being with your loved ones and saying goodbye to your child in a way that reflects your wishes.

First Steps After the Loss of a Child

After the loss of a child, you have the right to a dignified farewell regardless of the stage of pregnancy or the age of the child at the time of death. The hospital and funeral services will help you with the formalities — you do not need to rush and you may take time to consider your options.

Perinatal Loss — Specific Situations

Perinatal loss encompasses miscarriages, stillbirths and the deaths of newborns in the first days of life. In the Czech Republic, the following applies:

• Stillborn child (after the 24th week of pregnancy) — parents have the right to a funeral. The hospital issues both a birth certificate and a death certificate.
• Miscarriage (before the 24th week of pregnancy) — parents may request the release of the remains and arrange a funeral. The hospital should offer you this option.
• Child who died shortly after birth — the same rules apply as for the death of an adult.

In the hospital, you have the right to:

• See and hold your child for as long as you need
• Name your child
• Take a photograph or make a print of a hand or foot
• Ask for help from a social worker who will explain the next steps
• Request spiritual support (a chaplain), regardless of your faith

The hospital social worker should provide you with contacts for funeral services and support organisations. If this does not happen, do not hesitate to ask for this information.

Loss of an Older Child

When an older child dies, the formal steps are similar to those for an adult. A doctor issues the certificate of examination of the deceased (list o prohlídce zemřelého) and the registry office (matriční úřad) issues the death certificate (úmrtní list). To organise the funeral, you will need:

1. Death certificate (úmrtní list) — issued by the registry office on the basis of the certificate of examination of the deceased
2. Identity card of the deceased (if the child had one)
3. Birth certificate of the child
4. Contact details for a funeral service — you may choose any funeral service in the Czech Republic

A detailed guide to organising a funeral can be found in our article How to Arrange a Funeral in the Czech Republic.

Parents' Rights

As parents, you have the right to decide how you say farewell to your child. This includes:

• Choosing between burial and cremation
• Choosing a civil (secular) or religious ceremony
• Personalising the ceremony according to your wishes
• The presence of family and loved ones to the extent you wish
• Deciding on timing — the law stipulates a deadline of 96 hours from the notification of death for claiming responsibility for the funeral — the funeral itself usually takes place 5 to 10 days after death

Child Funeral — Options for Saying Farewell

For a child's funeral, you have the same options as for an adult — burial, cremation with a ceremony, and cremation without a ceremony. Some funeral services specialise in children's funerals and offer a sensitive approach tailored to this extraordinarily painful situation.

Burial or Cremation

Both options are fully available and the choice depends entirely on your wishes:

• Burial — the coffin is laid to rest in a cemetery. Special children's coffins in smaller sizes are available. Some cemeteries have separate sections for children's graves.
• Cremation with ceremony — a ceremony in a ceremonial hall, followed by cremation. You may collect the urn with the ashes and decide on its final resting place.
• Cremation without ceremony — cremation without a public service. Parents may say their farewells privately beforehand.

A Bespoke Ceremony — Personalising the Farewell

A child's funeral does not have to look like a traditional adult funeral. You have the right to a farewell that reflects the brief but precious time you shared with your child:

• Music: favourite songs, lullabies or quiet instrumental pieces
• Readings: poems, letters to the child, family memories
• Decorations: flowers, candles, toys or objects that were close to the child
• Photographs: a photo presentation or video capturing memories
• Civil or religious ceremony: in the Czech Republic, both secular and religious funerals are common — the choice is entirely yours

Some parents find comfort in creating a memory page — a safe place for photographs and memories that they can return to.

What to Place in the Coffin — Personal Items

Many parents wish to have personal items placed with their child. The most common include:

• A favourite toy or stuffed animal
• A letter from parents or siblings
• A blanket or clothing in which the child was wrapped
• A family photograph
• Flowers

The funeral service will advise you on which items may be placed in the coffin. With cremation, there are certain restrictions regarding materials, but most personal items are permitted.

Financial Aspects and State Support

Parents of a dependent child in the Czech Republic are entitled to a funeral allowance (pohřebné) of 5,000 Kč. A child's funeral is generally less expensive than an adult's, but it can still represent an unexpected financial burden at a time when you are dealing with far more important matters.

Funeral Allowance — State Benefit

The funeral allowance (pohřebné) is a one-off state social support benefit. Key facts:

For the application, you will need:

• A completed "Žádost o pohřebné" form (available at the labour office or online)
• The child's death certificate
• Proof of payment for the funeral (invoice from the funeral service)

Approximate Costs of a Child's Funeral

Costs vary depending on the type of funeral chosen and the specific funeral service. We provide approximate ranges:

Prices are approximate and current as of March 2026. Contact your local funeral service for an exact quotation.

Further Options for Financial Assistance

If you find yourself in a difficult financial situation, there are additional options:

• Municipal social department (sociální odbor obce) — may provide emergency assistance
• Non-profit organisations — some offer financial or material support to families after the loss of a child
• Hospitals — some healthcare facilities cooperate with funeral services to offer reduced prices for parents after perinatal loss
• Funeral services — some offer reduced prices for children's funerals. Do not hesitate to ask about this option

Never feel ashamed about your financial situation. The way you say goodbye to your child has nothing to do with the amount spent on the funeral.

Did you know? A memory page can be a safe place to preserve photographs, stories and words from loved ones — for you and for future generations. On Kinmory, you can create such a page whenever you are ready. Find out more on Kinmory

How to Talk About Loss with Siblings

If you have other children, you naturally worry about how to explain the loss of a sibling to them. Experts recommend speaking to children honestly, in a manner appropriate to their age, and allowing them to share in the grieving — excluding children from the process can deepen their sadness.

By the Child's Age

Children under 3 primarily sense the change in emotions and atmosphere within the family. They need:

• A stable daily routine and a sense of security
• Physical contact — hugs, closeness
• A simple, truthful statement: "The baby is gone and will not come back. Mummy and Daddy are sad."

Children aged 3–6 understand death literally but do not grasp its permanence. It is important to:

• Avoid metaphors such as "went on a long journey" or "fell asleep forever" — the child may become afraid of travelling or sleeping
• Use the word "died" — even though it sounds harsh, it is truthful and comprehensible
• Repeatedly reassure them that nothing will happen to them and that it is not their fault

Children aged 6–12 already understand the permanence of death but may have feelings of guilt or fear:

• Allow them to ask questions and answer truthfully
• Offer them the opportunity to attend the funeral — but do not force them
• Explain that sadness is normal and that it is all right to cry
• Watch for changes in behaviour — problems at school, withdrawal, aggression

Teenagers experience loss in a manner similar to adults but may have difficulty expressing their emotions:

• Respect their space but remain available
• Offer the option of speaking with a professional
• Do not impose how their grief should look

General Principles

• Be honest — children sense when something is being kept from them, and their own imagination is often worse than reality
• Allow them to grieve — children may express grief through play, drawing or alternating between sadness and cheerfulness. This is normal
• Offer participation — if the child wishes to attend the funeral, do not refuse. Prepare them beforehand for what they will see and hear
• Consider professional help — the organisation Vigvam offers free therapy for grieving children

Where to Find Support — Organisations and Contacts

Coping with the loss of a child without professional help is immensely difficult — and nobody should expect you to do so. In the Czech Republic, there are a number of organisations that specialise in supporting parents and families after a loss. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them.

Crisis Lines — Immediate Help

Organisations Specialising in Child Loss

Perinatální ztráta (perinatalniztrata.cz) An information portal and telephone support line for parents whose child died around the time of birth. It offers practical information, an overview of support organisations and professional help.

Cesta domů (cestadomu.cz) Provides professional palliative care and bereavement counselling, including perinatal palliative care. It offers individual consultations with a psychotherapist — the first three consultations are free of charge.

Poradna Vigvam (poradna-vigvam.cz) Specialises in helping grieving families, particularly children. It offers free children's therapy and support for parents. Contact: +420 606 160 646.

Nedoklubko (nedoklubko.cz) Supports families of premature babies and neonatal departments. It offers informational materials, community support and regular events.

Dítě v srdci (ditevsrdci.cz) A project focused on supporting families after perinatal loss, including information on care procedures and parents' rights.

Self-Help Groups

Many parents find comfort in sharing experiences with people who have gone through a similar loss. Self-help groups operate in the Czech Republic both in person and online. Information about groups in your region can be provided by the organisations listed above.

If you feel you need individual psychotherapy, your GP can provide a referral to a clinical psychologist — sessions are then covered by health insurance.

You can learn more about how to support a grieving person in our article How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have the right to a funeral for a stillborn baby?

Yes. Parents of a stillborn child (after the 24th week of pregnancy) have the full right to a funeral. The hospital issues both a birth certificate and a death certificate. Even in the case of a miscarriage (before the 24th week), you may request the release of the remains and arrange a farewell. This right cannot be denied to you — ask the hospital social worker for help with the arrangements.

Am I entitled to a funeral allowance after the loss of a child?

Yes, provided your child was a dependent and had permanent residence in the Czech Republic. The funeral allowance (pohřebné) is 5,000 Kč and is paid by the Úřad práce ČR (Labour Office). You may apply within one year of the funeral. Your income has no bearing on the entitlement. For the application, you will need the child's death certificate and proof of payment for the funeral.

Where can I find psychological support after losing a child?

In an acute crisis, call the free 24/7 helpline 116 123. For long-term support, contact the organisation Cesta domů (cestadomu.cz), which offers three free consultations with a psychotherapist, or Poradna Vigvam (poradna-vigvam.cz), which provides free therapy for grieving children and adults. Your GP can also provide a referral to a clinical psychologist covered by health insurance.

Can siblings attend the funeral?

Yes, if they wish to. Child bereavement experts recommend offering children the opportunity to attend but never forcing them. Before the ceremony, explain to the child what will happen, who will be there and how the service will proceed. Attending the funeral helps children understand the loss and begin the grieving process. Always have an adult ready to look after the child should they wish to leave early.

Summary

• You have the right to a dignified farewell with your child — regardless of the circumstances of the loss
• You do not have to rush — take as much time as you need
• Funeral allowance of 5,000 Kč — the person who arranges the funeral of a dependent child is entitled; apply at the Úřad práce (Labour Office)
• You choose — burial, cremation, civil or religious ceremony — the choice is entirely yours
• Personalise the farewell — music, photographs, personal items in the coffin — tailor the ceremony to your child
• Talk to children honestly — in age-appropriate language, allow them to share in the grieving
• Seek professional help — crisis line 116 123 (24/7, free), Cesta domů, Poradna Vigvam, perinatalniztrata.cz
• You are not alone — thousands of Czech families have been through a similar loss and professionals can help you

Related Articles

• How to Arrange a Funeral in the Czech Republic — A complete step-by-step guide to organising a funeral
• How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving — Practical advice on how to support a loved one during a time of loss
• Digital Memorial — Preserve the Memory — How to create a memory page that preserves photographs and stories for the future

If you are currently in an acute crisis, please call the crisis line 116 123 — it is available around the clock, free of charge.