Foster parents have no legal responsibility for the burial of a foster child. However, as primary caretaker of the deceased child, you do have the responsibility of cooperating with the agency in the mandatory investigation of the child’s death and any surrounding circumstances, when applicable. 

You may want to attend the funeral, send flowers, or donate in memory of the child in another meaningful way. Foster parents should be aware that the child’s birth parent(s) may react to the loss of the child by feeling anger toward you, the agency, and/or the hospital or medical staff involved in the child’s care. Do not hesitate to seek support from the child’s case manager and Resource Development case manager, when needed.

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