Learn about post-mortem care in medical settings. Understand that post-mortem care includes procedures and responsibilities carried out by nursing staff.
Updated: 03/11/2022
Post-Mortem Care Procedures & Responsibilities
What is Post Mortem?
As humans reach older ages, certain medical conditions and ailments may cause them to seek professional medical care on a more permanent basis. Many individuals are placed into care facilities so that they may receive the best quality of life and expert medical attention until the day they pass on. Medical care and human care do not stop at death, however. Additional oversight is provided for a number of end-of-life aspects under the guidance of a post-mortem care professional, most often a registered nurse.
What is post-mortem care and what does it include, specifically? The term post-mortem directly translates from Latin to after death. More specifically, the post-mortem care definition pertains to compassionate care for a deceased patient's body until it is transferred to the attending funeral provider. The body must be handled by the nurse according to the patient's religious or cultural beliefs, and actions must be coordinated carefully by the nurse at all times. During post-mortem care, the attending nurse is responsible for notifying the funeral provider and any appropriate medical providers of the patient's passing, as well as the necessary supervisory staff if the patient's death occurred in a hospital or other medical facility. The post-mortem care provider is additionally required to supply final documentation, care, and transfer of the body to the funeral provider, in addition to providing the patient's family with support when possible, following the final and official pronunciation of death.
Post-Mortem Nursing Care
Patient care doesn't end at death. After death, the nurse is responsible for notifying the attending provider, other providers involved in the patient's care, as well as appropriate staff if the death occurs in a hospital or medical facility (such as the house supervisor). Once a patient has been pronounced as deceased by the attending provider, the nurse is responsible for several post-mortem care tasks, including final documentation, care and final disposition of the body, and providing support to the family. The nurse must also take time for self-care, as these responsibilities can be emotionally draining.
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Post Mortem Care of the Body
The first and most notable aspect of post-mortem care relates to oversight of the deceased patient's body. To begin, the nurse prepares the body for transfer to the attending funeral provider according to specific guidelines and protocols set forth by the specific hospital or medical facility. This often involves following a number of standard precautions such as wearing gloves and other appropriate coverings while following a number of detailed steps. It is generally considered good practice to gather any required medical equipment before care is provided. The nurse should always treat the patient's body carefully and respectfully during the following standard care procedures:
- The nurse must first place the body in a supine position (with the back flat on the ground and the head facing upward) with straight anatomical alignment. They also close the eyes and mouth, if open.
- Clothing, jewelry, and other personal effects (wallets, cellular devices, etc.) are removed from the body and stored separately. They are returned to the family later.
- Using a basin with soap and water, the nurse bathes the body. Hair is combed at this time, if necessary.
- If the patient was attached to any medical equipment such as venous access lines, catheters, or other tubing, it is detached from the patient. (This step is omitted under certain conditions.)
- A diaper or fluid pad is applied under the patient to absorb any leaking bodily fluids.
- The body is dressed in a gown or other clothing, if provided by the family.
- The patient must then be positively identified so that a toe tag with descriptive information (pertaining the the patient) may be applied.
- If the family will visit the patient following their death, bed linens must be changed and the patient is covered to the shoulders with a sheet.
- Following family visitation (if applicable) and the completion of body preparation, the body is placed in a body bag for transport to the morgue via stretcher or for direct pick-up by a funeral home.
- The nurse may apply gauze to the patient's wrists to secure them together, if necessary.
Although post-mortem nurses are not responsible for determining the direct cause of death, they must always notate the cause of death or any obscurities to the body on any documentation given to other medical providers. If the death was caused as the result of suicide, homicide, an accident, or an otherwise unknown cause, an autopsy may be ordered by medical examiners and additional protocols must be followed. Post-mortem nurses should perform their general duties (as described above) and leave all medical equipment in place if an autopsy is required.
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Postmortem Care Includes More
While post-mortem care most readily implies the care of a deceased patient's body, post-mortem care includes a number of additional functions provided by an attending nurse. As well as caring for the body, post-mortem care also pertains to:
- Official documentation of the patient's cause of death and other relevant information
- Care and support for the patient's family
- Self-care for the attending nurse
The following sections will describe each of these unique and important aspects of post-mortem care in more detail and provide insight as to how these functions take place more specifically.
Postmortem Care Includes Documentation
Following the death of a patient and the preparation of their body, post-mortem care also includes a strict set of documentation that must be written and provided by the attending nurse before the body is sent to the morgue or funeral home for a final, more public viewing. The attending medical provider (not the nurse themselves) or medical examiner may be responsible for determining the specific cause of death, but the attending nurse is wholly responsible for documenting events surrounding the death itself. Nurses must ensure that an accurate account of the patient's information is given, usually advising readers to each of the following pieces of information:
- The prescribed or assumed time of death
- The name of the medical provider or examiner who announced the death
- The names of any persons present at the time of death
- Any attempts made to resuscitate the patient (if applicable)
- The names of the persons notified of the death (usually family members)
- Location of the patient's personal belongings (that were removed during preparation)
- Any information pertaining to the final preparation or care of the body
- Information pertaining to where the body was disposed of or transferred to (funeral home, morgue, or medical examiner for autopsy)
Postmortem Care Includes Family
Attending nurses also typically act as a source of support for families who have lost a loved one because they are the individuals in closest contact with the patient following their death. Generally, it is considered best practice for attending nurses responsible for post-mortem care to use concrete and factual terms with the family such as "dead", "death", "died", or "deceased", rather than soft terms such as "passed on", to facilitate the insurance of understanding between the family and terms of death. By providing assistance and support to the grieving family whenever possible, the attending nurse can encourage healthy coping with the situation and ease the process of healing, even if in just a small way.
There are many small tasks that an attending nurse can provide or assist the family with in their sudden time of loss. A few of the methods pertaining to familial care that post-mortem care includes are:
- Listening to and addressing specific concerns of the family, such as answering questions about the transfer of the body to another medical provider
- Respecting cultural and religious beliefs of the family during post-mortem care
- Allowing the family to assist with final preparation of the body if desired, as well as giving the family uninterrupted time for visitation once preparation is finished (as appropriate)
- Notifying religious clergy, friends, or other family members of a patient's passing, if the family requests it
- Assisting family members with personal requests or with tasks such as selecting a funeral home (or making other arrangements)
- Returning the patient's belongings to the family in a timely and professional manner
- Providing the family with emotional support (such as being available during viewing, if requested) and recommending any grief counseling or support, if requested or necessary
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Postmortem Care Includes Self Care
Due to the highly stressful and sensitive environment created during post-mortem care and related tasks, it is important that the attending nurse practices self-care when possible. Death can be an emotional experience, even for a licensed professional, and combined with the role of supporting a grieving family, coping with the death of a patient may become difficult to bear. Nurses and other medical professionals must recognize signs of work-related fatigue and trouble with coping so that they may be addressed quickly. An effective method of remaining emotionally healthy following the death of a patient is to take personal time to reflect and relax so that support may be effectively provided to others later on.
Numerous self-care methods are employed by nurses and other medical professionals in order to provide a positive means of coping. Most forms of self-care are highly personal and individualized, as death often causes emotions to become more sensitive and influences isolation from interactions with others. Some of the best self-care practices include participating in quiet mediation, instituting a healthy balance of work and life activities, becoming involved in community or volunteer activities, maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet and regular exercise regimen, and receiving support from, or supporting, other members in the healthcare community or support groups.
Lesson Summary
Post-mortem care relates to the compassionate care of a deceased patient's body by an attending nurse until it is transferred to a medical or funeral provider. While the nurse is not responsible for determining the patient's cause of death, they are directly responsible for preparing the body for transport, ensuring proper documentation of events, and providing support to the grieving family when possible. During post-mortem care of the body, the nurse carries out specific tasks according to facility protocols, such as bathing the body with soap and water, applying identification tags to the body, changing bed linens, and applying absorbent pads under the body. Nurses also typically remove all tubing, catheters, and other medical devices unless an autopsy is required.
Post-mortem care includes additional services provided by the nurse, including documentation, familial support, and self-care. Documentation generally includes a range of information pertaining to the time of death, the medical examiner who pronounced the patient as deceased, and information relevant to the final care of the body, amongst other notations. When communicating with the family post-mortem, nurses usually use concrete and factual terms such as "died" or "death" to facilitate understanding of the causes. One of the best ways that a nurse can provide a family with support is to allow for uninterrupted visitation with the body. Nurses must also practice self-care to remain at their best emotionally, which can be achieved through volunteering, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
Post-Mortem Documentation
Documentation continues after patient death. The nurse must ensure accurate documentation in the patient chart of:
- Time of death and name of provider whom announced death
- Persons present at the time of death
- Any resuscitation efforts if applicable
- Name of persons notified of the death
- Location of the patient's personal belongings
- Final care of the body
- Final disposition of the body (morgue, funeral home, or medical examiner)
Care of the Body
In the post-mortem period, the nurse will prepare the body, in accordance with hospital or facility protocols. Be sure to wear gloves and follow standard precautions when providing postmortem care. Post-mortem care includes the following steps. Remember to gather any needed supplies prior to starting. The nurse should always treat the body with dignity and respect.
- Position the body in supine position with anatomical alignment. Close eyes and mouth if open.
- Remove any clothing, jewelry, and personal items and bag for family pick-up.
- Using a basin pan with water and soap, give a bed bath to the body. Comb any hair if necessary.
- Remove any medical equipment, including venous access lines, catheters, or other tubing.
- A diaper or absorbent under pad may be applied for possible fluid leakage.
- Dress the body in a clean gown or clothing provided by the family.
- Ensure correct patient identification and apply a toe tag to the patient.
- Change all bed linens, and cover the patient with a sheet (only to the shoulders) if the family will be visiting.
- Once prepared, place the patient in a body bag for transport to the morgue via stretcher or for direct pick-up by a funeral home.
- Gauze may be used to loosely secure the wrists together if needed.
It's important to note that if a death is a result of suicide, homicide, accident, or otherwise unknown cause, an autopsy may be indicated. If an autopsy is ordered, the body should be cared for as mentioned, while leaving all medical equipment in place.
Care for the Family
The nurse acts as a source of family support when a death occurs. Don't gloss over the death with non-descript terms such as ''passed on.'' It's best to use concrete, factual terms. It's okay to say ''death,'' ''died'' and ''deceased'' when communicating with family to ensure understanding. Assisting the family in the grieving process can facilitate healthy coping and healing. The nurse can provide supportive care in the following ways:
- By listening to and addressing any patient concerns
- By respecting cultural beliefs surrounding death and post-mortem care
- Allowing the family to assist with preparation of the body if desired
- Allowing undisturbed visitation with the body as appropriate
- Notifying religious clergy if family requests
- Assisting the family in notifying other persons as requested
- Assisting the family with selecting a funeral home and making arrangements as needed
- Providing emotional support and being present during viewing if requested
- Remaining professional yet understanding and sympathetic
- Returning the patient's belongings to the family
- Referring the family to community resources for grief counseling and support if desired
Self-Care Following Patient Death
Death of a patient can be emotionally difficult for a nurse, as is providing emotional support to the family. In addition to providing therapeutic care to the family, nurses must also practice self-care. Nurses must be able to recognize and respond to personal signs of ineffective coping. By taking time for emotional self-care, the nurse can best be prepared to provide emotional support to others. Self-care can take many forms and is individualized. Some methods of self-care that may be used by nurses include:
- Engaging in prayer or meditation
- Enjoying art or music therapy
- Maintaining a healthy work/life balance
- Ensuring a nutritious diet and regular exercise
- Maintaining community involvement and volunteer activities
- Participating in professional therapy or support groups
- Receiving support from coworkers in healthcare in sharing similar experiences
Lesson Summary
Okay, let's now take a moment or two to review. As we learned, post-mortem care in nursing happens once a patient has been pronounced as deceased by the attending provider and includes final documentation, care and final disposition of the body, and providing support to the family.
We also saw that providing post-mortem care can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for the nurse. We specifically learned that nurses ensure accurate documentation of events surrounding the death and post-mortem period, in addition to providing compassionate care to both the body and the family. When experiencing patient death, the nurse must also focus on self-care as part of the process. By caring for all three (the body, the family, and the self), the nurse can best aid the family in processing grief and accepting the death of a family member.
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Video Transcript
Post-Mortem Nursing Care
Patient care doesn't end at death. After death, the nurse is responsible for notifying the attending provider, other providers involved in the patient's care, as well as appropriate staff if the death occurs in a hospital or medical facility (such as the house supervisor). Once a patient has been pronounced as deceased by the attending provider, the nurse is responsible for several post-mortem care tasks, including final documentation, care and final disposition of the body, and providing support to the family. The nurse must also take time for self-care, as these responsibilities can be emotionally draining.
Post-Mortem Documentation
Documentation continues after patient death. The nurse must ensure accurate documentation in the patient chart of:
- Time of death and name of provider whom announced death
- Persons present at the time of death
- Any resuscitation efforts if applicable
- Name of persons notified of the death
- Location of the patient's personal belongings
- Final care of the body
- Final disposition of the body (morgue, funeral home, or medical examiner)
Care of the Body
In the post-mortem period, the nurse will prepare the body, in accordance with hospital or facility protocols. Be sure to wear gloves and follow standard precautions when providing postmortem care. Post-mortem care includes the following steps. Remember to gather any needed supplies prior to starting. The nurse should always treat the body with dignity and respect.
- Position the body in supine position with anatomical alignment. Close eyes and mouth if open.
- Remove any clothing, jewelry, and personal items and bag for family pick-up.
- Using a basin pan with water and soap, give a bed bath to the body. Comb any hair if necessary.
- Remove any medical equipment, including venous access lines, catheters, or other tubing.
- A diaper or absorbent under pad may be applied for possible fluid leakage.
- Dress the body in a clean gown or clothing provided by the family.
- Ensure correct patient identification and apply a toe tag to the patient.
- Change all bed linens, and cover the patient with a sheet (only to the shoulders) if the family will be visiting.
- Once prepared, place the patient in a body bag for transport to the morgue via stretcher or for direct pick-up by a funeral home.
- Gauze may be used to loosely secure the wrists together if needed.
It's important to note that if a death is a result of suicide, homicide, accident, or otherwise unknown cause, an autopsy may be indicated. If an autopsy is ordered, the body should be cared for as mentioned, while leaving all medical equipment in place.
Care for the Family
The nurse acts as a source of family support when a death occurs. Don't gloss over the death with non-descript terms such as ''passed on.'' It's best to use concrete, factual terms. It's okay to say ''death,'' ''died'' and ''deceased'' when communicating with family to ensure understanding. Assisting the family in the grieving process can facilitate healthy coping and healing. The nurse can provide supportive care in the following ways:
- By listening to and addressing any patient concerns
- By respecting cultural beliefs surrounding death and post-mortem care
- Allowing the family to assist with preparation of the body if desired
- Allowing undisturbed visitation with the body as appropriate
- Notifying religious clergy if family requests
- Assisting the family in notifying other persons as requested
- Assisting the family with selecting a funeral home and making arrangements as needed
- Providing emotional support and being present during viewing if requested
- Remaining professional yet understanding and sympathetic
- Returning the patient's belongings to the family
- Referring the family to community resources for grief counseling and support if desired
Self-Care Following Patient Death
Death of a patient can be emotionally difficult for a nurse, as is providing emotional support to the family. In addition to providing therapeutic care to the family, nurses must also practice self-care. Nurses must be able to recognize and respond to personal signs of ineffective coping. By taking time for emotional self-care, the nurse can best be prepared to provide emotional support to others. Self-care can take many forms and is individualized. Some methods of self-care that may be used by nurses include:
- Engaging in prayer or meditation
- Enjoying art or music therapy
- Maintaining a healthy work/life balance
- Ensuring a nutritious diet and regular exercise
- Maintaining community involvement and volunteer activities
- Participating in professional therapy or support groups
- Receiving support from coworkers in healthcare in sharing similar experiences
Lesson Summary
Okay, let's now take a moment or two to review. As we learned, post-mortem care in nursing happens once a patient has been pronounced as deceased by the attending provider and includes final documentation, care and final disposition of the body, and providing support to the family.
We also saw that providing post-mortem care can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for the nurse. We specifically learned that nurses ensure accurate documentation of events surrounding the death and post-mortem period, in addition to providing compassionate care to both the body and the family. When experiencing patient death, the nurse must also focus on self-care as part of the process. By caring for all three (the body, the family, and the self), the nurse can best aid the family in processing grief and accepting the death of a family member.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does post-mortem care include?
Post-mortem care includes the care of a deceased individual's body, the documentation of all events related to the death by an attending nurse, the provision of support to the family of the deceased as necessary, and the practice of self-care by the attending nurse. It is important that nurses participate in the final aspect of post-mortem care (self-care) so that they do not become emotionally fatigued. Death can be emotionally impactful to even the most experienced professional, potentially meaning that they cannot support others (the family) when it is required of them the most.
Who performs post-mortem care?
Post-mortem care is provided by a licensed medical professional, almost always a registered nurse. Nurses are responsible for the care and transport of the deceased body, documentation of all events related to death (although they are not responsible for determining the cause of death), and providing support to the family whenever possible or necessary. They must also treat the body respectfully and coordinate all actions in accordance with the patient's religious or cultural beliefs.
When should post-mortem care be performed?
Post-mortem care is provided by an attending nurse following the pronunciation of death and until the body is transferred to an attending funeral provider or medical provider. The nurse must initially clean the body, dress it, apply documentation such as a toe tag, and perform other methods of preparation before visitation by the family. They may also provide the family with support or resources to cope before the body is transferred to another location.
What does post-mortem care mean?
The term post-mortem translates from Latin to "after death". Post-mortem care more closely pertains to the care of a deceased body, inclusive of the preparation and documentation of the body as well as the provision of support to families before transport to a funeral provider or alternate medical provider.
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& teaching resources‐all
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Post-Mortem Care Procedures & Responsibilities | What is Post-Mortem Care?
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