Hello, My name is Megan Zottoli and on June 23, 2020 I had a miscarriage at 14 weeks gestation at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth Massachusetts. That evening, I requested that I bring the fetus home myself, without the assistance of a Funeral Director. This was important to me, because I saw it as my first, last, and only responsibility as the parent of this child.  I was refused this right, and began a 10 day battle with the hospital which involved lawyers, local boards of health, the department of public health, and many officials within the hospital itself. 
I have spoken at death education groups, representatives of funeral consumer advocacy and home funeral advocacy groups as well as reps from the "death positive movement " and  pregnancy loss and bereavement organizations. I have had meetings with our state representatives, our state senators, the chief of OBGYN as well as labor and delivery, the chief of pathology, and across the board, everyone I have spoken to is in agreement that a change needs to be made. After this 10 day battle, I was the first woman to ever pick up her fetus from Beth Isrial Deaconess Hosptial without a Funeral Directors assistance. However, the law still has grey areas, and the hosptial has no policy in place for the next time this happens. A fetus of 20 weeks gestation or less, has less tissue, blood, and general mass when compared to a placenta. According to pathology, they are considered the same thing: human tissue. Hospitals have a release for placenta, where a placenta can be released directly to a parent. I am asking that hospitals create a form of release so that a fetus of 20 weeks gestation or less can be released directly to a parent without involvement from a Funeral Director, and without involvement of the Board of Health or the Department of Public Health. That the hospital can produce a form, similar to the Placenta Release form for parents to have a direct release of fetal remains should the parents choose to do this. I am also asking that hospitals inform patients after a miscarriage that they have this right. 
Our state lawmakers have expressed support, and momentum to have a law change and to have a memorandum similar to the Memorandum to CEOs of hospitals for release of placenta. (see below) 
Our state officials have asked me to reach out to advocacy groups for support with this change in Massachusetts Law, as they present this matter and bring it to the state lawyers to create a change. A change to help other women who will have miscarriages after me, and have the right to know that they have the right to bring their fetus under 20 weeks gestation home should they wish to do so. 

I thank you for your support, 

Megan Zottoli
meganz11@yahoo.com

MA.GOV memorandum for placenta release: 
https://www.mass.gov/memorandum/memorandum-to-ceos-of-hospitals-licensed-to-provide-maternal-and-newborn-services
MA.GOV state law on fetal death:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter111/Section202