Umbilical Cord Burning
A Sacred Birth Ceremony Rooted in Global Tradition
One of my dear clients, when she was about 7 months pregnant, asked me about cord burning. I didn’t know a lot about it, but had always considered it a beautiful ceremony. She ultimately decided that was the way she wanted to release the bond between her baby and the placenta, so she and her hubby made a kit, using a “burn box” and some candles.
A little over an hour from the time the baby was born, after babe had nursed well and mom had gotten cleaned up and settled in, we all joined them on the bed for the event.
The beautiful burn box was painted forest green and the candles were of the same color. The parents began the ceremony, and then, since it takes about 15–20 minutes for the full separation to occur, we all took turns holding the candles. We turned on some soft meditative music, and Jess, one of my favorite doulas on the planet, took photos and videos of the sacred moment.
We all talked softly about the birth, about life, and about the origins of umbilical cord burning. As we watched the cord slowly burn through, my client told me she had learned that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that the placenta is full of Qi (pronounced “chee”), also known as “life force,” and will fully transfer to the newborn if the cord is burned. This resonated with me to the point that I now share this belief.
Umbilical cord burning is more than a beautiful ritual — it’s a globally practiced method of honoring the transition from womb to world. In cultures throughout Asia, South America, and parts of Africa, families have used fire as a symbolic and practical way to sever the connection between baby and placenta.
In parts of Indonesia and Nepal, for example, fire is seen as a sacred cleanser and a way to protect the newborn from evil spirits or illness. In some South American Indigenous traditions, the burning is paired with blessings and herbs to invoke ancestral protection. In ancient Celtic practices, fire ceremonies were commonly used during life transitions — including birth — to bless the new soul and ward off harm. Umbilical cord burning was sometimes practiced by American pioneers, especially in rural or frontier areas where sterile instruments were hard to come by. Instead of using scissors or a knife, which could introduce bacteria, they would use a flame to burn through the cord.
In my further study on umbilical cord burning, I also learned that it can reduce the chances for infection and bleeding of the cord after birth, as the heat sterilizes and cauterizes the cord and its vessels.
Dr. Joseph Kassal, a naturopathic doctor who works in Hawaii and also specializes in acupuncture, says of umbilical cord burning:
“By heating the cord and driving the last of the blood through there you are giving a profoundly tonic treatment for the baby who has just run a marathon… You are warming digestion which will reduce the tendency for jaundice, besides just creating a strong baby which means a good nurser.”
Many families choose umbilical cord burning as a way to slow down and intentionally witness the ending of pregnancy and the beginning of life outside the womb. Unlike clamping and cutting, which is quick and clinical, cord burning invites everyone to pause, reflect, and offer gratitude. The ritual naturally creates space for storytelling, tears, laughter, and reverence.
From a midwifery perspective, I’ve come to love this practice for both the physical and emotional benefits it offers. It supports a gentle transition, encourages connection, and honors the sacredness of the placenta — the baby’s first home.
If you’re planning a homebirth or birth center birth and feel drawn to more ceremonial ways of welcoming your baby, umbilical cord burning might be something to explore.