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Care after Death
5.
Care of the body after death Care of the body after death is an ancient ritual providing an opportunity for people to offer a final mark of respect to the deceased person. ese practices can have symbolic and cultural meaning. It is essential to plan and perform this care in keeping with the wishes of the person that has died. Refer to your organisation’s ‘Care After Death Policy’. Please refer to this for help and information with the practical aspects. ings to consider: • In keeping with the principles of person-centred care, you should always allow for personalisation of after-death care in accordance with the deceased person’s wishes and beliefs. • Friends and family, as well as carers, might wish to participate in caring for the body after death. If so, as much as possible they should be facilitated to do so. • Ensure people are fully informed of what is happening and what happens next. • Reassure relatives and friends that you will take care of the person in death, just as you cared for them in life. • Make sure that they know there is no hurry for them to leave, but equally, if they want to leave then that is ok too. Staff members also may need support around the time of a death. Staff caring for a body after death can experience a range of emotions, especially if they have cared for the person for a prolonged time, or if the circumstances of the death were upsetting. Some ways to support staff members include: • Ensure that the deceased person is treated with the same level of respect and dignity as when they were alive. It may also provide the opportunity for a staff member to say their own goodbye. • Allow staff to talk about any feelings that may come up. Offer support and direct them to the appropriate resources available. • Continue to talk to the deceased person as you move through their after death care. • Take moments to pause while moving through after death care, such as the moment a person is covered with a sheet.
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