Throughout history, almost every culture has established some sort of right to bury one’s dead. Even after battles, it was common practice to return the bodies of the slain so they could be buried by their countrymen.

Thousands of years later, that right shouldn’t be a question. Yet for mothers who suffer miscarriage, it is.

Data shows that between 10 and 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth. Yet despite the frequency of miscarriage, almost no resources exist to support mothers as they experience one of the greatest hardships of life.

Worse, there is no national law or standard affirming a mother’s right to their child’s body so they can grieve as they see fit. Instead, whether a mother can bury her child with dignity all depends on the arbitrary policy of whatever hospital she ends up in.

Mothers undergoing miscarriage shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they will even be able to bury their child. That’s why Students for Life Action has partnered with Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) to introduce our model legislation, the “Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act,” in the U.S. Congress.

READ MORE: Empower Grieving Parents in New Legislation: SFLAction’s Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act Introduced in U.S. House & Senate

If enacted, the bill would require hospitals to notify parents of their rights and then follow through on respecting parents’ wishes. That’s a basic human kindness — and it’s one both sides of the aisle should be able to support.

To learn more about the challenges facing parents who miscarry, and about how the Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act would help, watch Students for Life’s federal briefing HERE.

To tell your representatives to vote in favor of the “Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act,” click HERE.