Death Before Life

'Death before Birth' is a two-year ESRC-funded project, running from 2016-18. Through it, we aim to examine how people in England who have experienced miscarriage, termination for fetal abnormality, and stillbirth reach decisions concerning the disposal of the remains of pregnancy, how their perceptions of the law impact on their decision-making, and how they communicate their experiences and choices to those there to support them. We will also be examining the existing guidance on disposal of the remains of pregnancy, investigating how it is interpreted in practice by professionals and the extent to which it takes account of the views, experiences and needs of the bereaved. It is an interdisciplinary project, combining aspects of socio-legal studies, cultural studies, and linguistics.