Don't Be Caught Dead

When There's No Funeral: Honouring Babies Lost Before 20 Weeks with Melissa King


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When Melissa King lost her baby in 2011, she discovered an unexpected silence. No information, no pathway to support, and very few people willing to talk openly about miscarriage. Out of that heartbreak, she founded Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS), Australia’s first miscarriage-specific not-for-profit providing free resources, care packages, and a sense of community for people affected by early pregnancy loss.

In this conversation, Melissa shares her personal story of loss and how it inspired her to create a space where grief is acknowledged, not hidden. We talk about why early pregnancy loss is still misunderstood, how society’s reluctance to discuss death and miscarriage leaves families isolated, and what real support looks like for people going through it.

We also discuss the newly opened Butterfly Garden,  a stunning memorial space for families to remember their babies and explore practical ways to honour and remember a baby after miscarriage. Melissa’s compassion and dedication shine through as she offers comfort, truth, and practical tools for anyone navigating the pain of early pregnancy loss.

In this episode:

  • How Melissa’s personal experience of miscarriage led to the creation of MISS
  • The ongoing stigma and silence surrounding early pregnancy loss
  • Why acknowledging miscarriage matters and how it impacts grief
  • The importance of support for partners and families, not just mothers

The Don’t Be Caught Dead Pub Quiz is back — now in its third year, and it’s a sellout event for a reason.

Join us on May 12 at 7pm at Hotel Lona in Frankston, as part of the South Side Festival.

Come solo and join a team, or bring your own crew — and compete for great prizes.

 Go to criticalinfo.com.au/events 

Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays
free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.

No pressure.
 No expectation.

Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —
 it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.

Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events

MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.

SUPPORT SERVICES
If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.

Support the show

Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.

Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/

Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:
https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/




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Don't Be Caught DeadBy Catherine Ashton