Postmortem care refers to the procedures performed on a person’s body immediately after death. This care ensures the deceased is treated with respect and dignity while preparing the body for its next steps. It is a fundamental part of the overall care continuum, extending beyond a patient’s final moments, and focusing on compassionate and hygienic treatment of the body.
The Aims of Postmortem Care
The primary aim of postmortem care is to maintain dignity and respect for the deceased. It also prepares the body for viewing by family members, allowing them an opportunity for closure and to begin their grieving process. This preparation often includes arranging the body to appear calm and natural. Postmortem care also prepares the body for transport to a morgue or funeral home, ensuring proper hygiene and preventing the spread of infections. If organ or tissue donation is planned, specific protocols are followed to maintain organ viability until retrieval.
Steps Involved in Postmortem Care
Postmortem care begins immediately after a medical professional pronounces death. Privacy is ensured by closing room doors or drawing curtains. Healthcare providers confirm the patient’s identity and review documentation.
Medical devices such as intravenous lines, catheters, and tubes are typically removed from the body, unless an autopsy or organ donation is planned. Any puncture sites are cleaned and dressed. The body is thoroughly cleansed using gentle soap and water, ensuring hygiene and maintaining its appearance.
The deceased is positioned supine with arms at their sides. A pillow is placed under the head and shoulders to prevent blood pooling and facial discoloration, a phenomenon known as livor mortis. The eyes are gently closed, sometimes using moist cotton balls if they do not remain shut, and the mouth is closed, often by placing a folded towel under the chin or inserting dentures if applicable. An absorbent pad is placed under the buttocks to manage any potential fluid release. Finally, the body is dressed in a clean gown or covered with a clean sheet, and identification tags are securely attached to prevent misidentification.
Who Provides Postmortem Care
Postmortem care is primarily performed by healthcare professionals within a hospital or care setting. Nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) often carry out the immediate care of the body after death. Doctors also play a role, particularly in officially pronouncing death and completing necessary medical documentation. In situations involving unexpected or suspicious deaths, the medical examiner or coroner may become involved, which can influence how and when certain procedures are performed.
After the initial care in a healthcare facility, the body is typically transferred to a funeral home. Funeral home staff or morticians then assume responsibility for further preparation, which may include embalming or other restorative procedures. While their roles are distinct from the immediate postmortem care provided in a hospital, they continue the process of preparing the deceased for final disposition. Family members are often offered the opportunity to be present during parts of the initial postmortem care, such as viewing the body, and their cultural or religious preferences are considered throughout the process.
What Happens After Postmortem Care
Once the immediate postmortem care procedures are completed within the healthcare facility, the deceased is typically transferred to the hospital morgue, a refrigerated space designed for temporary storage. This transfer is usually carried out by hospital staff, such as porters, with the body covered out of respect. The body remains in the morgue until it is released to a funeral home chosen by the family. Funeral directors then take responsibility for the deceased, arranging for final disposition, which can include burial or cremation.
It is important to note that postmortem care is distinct from embalming or autopsy. Embalming is a process of temporarily preserving the body using chemicals, often for viewing purposes or extended preservation, and is not always required by law. An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, is a medical procedure performed to determine the cause of death or to gather more information about a disease. While an autopsy may delay the release of the body, funeral arrangements usually proceed without significant delays after a hospital post-mortem.