Staff Information Folder Care After Death

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Caring for people and those important to them at the end of life, and after death, is a privilege. There is only one chance to get it right and the care given will leave a lasting memory with loved ones.

The role of the healthcare staff at the end of life extends beyond death to provide care for the deceased person and support to their family and carers. The physical care given by healthcare staff following death in all care settings has traditionally been referred to as ‘last offices’. However in this guide we refer to ‘care after death’. The new terminology is intended to reflect the on-going support offered to families and carers and the physical preparation of the body called ‘personal care after death’.

Caring for people who are close to death demands compassion, kindness and skilled application of knowledge. This guide is a tool to equip staff with the practical knowledge they need to deliver high quality care with compassion and empathy to the dying patient and their family, and to run alongside Trust policies and procedures.

Care after death is:

• Honouring the spiritual or cultural wishes of the deceased person and their family/carers while ensuring legal obligations are met.

• Preparing the body for transfer to the mortuary or funeral directors’ premises.

• Offering family and carers present the opportunity to participate in care after death and supporting them to do so.

• Ensuring the privacy and dignity of the deceased person is maintained.

• Ensuring that the health and safety of everyone who comes into contact with the body is protected. It is important to adhere to infection prevention precautions. The nature of the death and the context in which it has occurred may affect the level of support needed by those who have been bereaved. For example, some deaths are expected and peaceful while others may be sudden or traumatic. As a result, families and carers are likely to have a range of responses and needs and they may also have differing views about how the person should be cared for after death.

Care after death requires sensitive and skilled communication, addressing the needs of the family and carers and respecting the integrity of the person who has died. It is a very difficult time for those who have been bereaved and can be emotionally challenging for healthcare staff.