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The loss of a fetus is called a miscarriage before 20 weeks, and a stillbirth after 20 weeks. This is because after 20 weeks, you are close to viability which is generally considered to be 24 weeks. At the hospital I work at, the fetus is considered "medical waste" if miscarried before 20 weeks. However, the parents do have the option of naming as well as cremation or burial. The fetus does not get a death certificate. After 20 weeks, everything changes: the parents have to pick either burial or cremation. The fetus gets a death certificate (although parents are not obligated to name the baby) and if they have Apgars (any signs of life) they get a birth certificate as well. I'm not sure if it is an "official" birth certificate or not. If the baby is born dead, then they get a death certificate but no birth certficate. This seems reasonable to me, but as someone who is 24 weeks pregnant now, I totally understand the desire to have a birth certificate, even if there are no signs of life. I think it is appropriate once the fetus is at or near viability.
