zeit.de
Rhineland-Palatinate to Amend Burial Law, Allowing Joint Burial of Parents and Stillborn Children
Rhineland-Palatinate's proposed burial law amendment, expected in the state parliament in Spring 2025, allows for the joint burial of parents and stillborn children (Sternenkinder) who die around the same time, eliminating the term "miscarriage" and enabling new burial options.
- What broader societal shifts or evolving perspectives on death and grief does this new burial law reflect?
- This update to the 41-year-old law modernizes burial practices, including allowing for river burials and other forms of interment, and reflects a growing societal understanding of perinatal loss. The law's passage is expected in Spring 2025 after a review process.
- What specific support does the new Rhineland-Palatinate burial law provide for parents grieving the loss of a newborn?
- The new Rhineland-Palatinate burial law addresses the grief of parents who lose a child shortly before, during, or after birth (Sternenkinder). It allows for joint burial of the child and a parent who dies simultaneously or shortly thereafter, upon a parent's request. This addresses a significant gap in the current law.
- How does the proposed legislation address the emotional impact on parents and their families during and after the loss of a newborn?
- This law revision acknowledges the profound pain of losing a child and aims to provide a dignified process for grieving, especially in cases of simultaneous loss of parent and child. The change is particularly sensitive to the emotional needs of parents and addresses the use of potentially hurtful terminology such as "miscarriage".
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the new law positively, highlighting its compassionate intention to address the grief of parents who lose children. The use of quotes from the Health Minister emphasizing care and support contributes to this positive framing. The headline could be considered slightly biased, as it highlights the emotional aspect (Schmerz und Trauer) without mentioning other aspects of the new law, but it's relatively minor.
Language Bias
The article uses emotionally charged language such as "das Schlimmste, was Eltern passieren kann" (the worst thing that can happen to parents) and "die Stunde des größten Verlustes" (the hour of greatest loss). While understandable given the topic, this language contributes to a less neutral tone. The term "Sternenkinder" itself is a euphemism, but it's used widely and is arguably intended to be comforting. The article also highlights the perceived negative impact of the term "Fehlgeburt" (miscarriage) suggesting a preference for more sensitive language, which itself shows a bias toward avoiding clinical language in favor of an emotionally sensitive approach.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the aspects of the new law concerning Sternenkindern and does not delve into other potential changes or controversies surrounding the broader update to the Bestattungsgesetz. There is no mention of the potential costs associated with the new provisions or how these costs will be covered. Additionally, the perspectives of those who might oppose aspects of the new law are not included. While this might be due to space constraints, the omission limits the reader's ability to form a fully informed opinion.
Gender Bias
The article uses gender-neutral language for the most part, referring to 'Eltern' (parents). However, the specific mention of the mother's death during childbirth could be interpreted as reinforcing a gendered expectation of maternal involvement in birth and potentially overshadowing the grief of fathers in similar situations.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article focuses on improving bereavement support services for parents who have lost children, which is not directly related to poverty reduction.