We recently experienced a stillbirth after 38 weeks. I was thankful to have a level-headed, knowledgeable friend at our side to question most of the hospital norms. We were in no shape to push back. After asking the right questions, we were able to work with a local monastery to bury our child for a grand total of $0. IANAL, but at least in California, we determined that in our situation working with an undertaker was optional. State law clearly gave us rights to control and custody of our daughter's remains.