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What Does Post-Mortem Care in the Home Involve?
Date Updated: December 14, 2024
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Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
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Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Post-mortem care in the home involves preparing the deceased’s body for transportation, supporting the family and following administrative procedures. Hospice care ends and after-death attention starts as soon as an individual passes away. Respect and dignity continue through all stages of end-of-life and post-death care.
Death at Home
The CDC reports that the United States had around 1.5 million hospice care recipients as of 2020. According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, most hospice patients receive care at home. The Association of American Medical Colleges further adds that many people with terminal conditions return home for their remaining days. Research indicates an overall increase in the number of people dying at home and a reduction in the number of those passing away in a hospital or nursing home. This assessment aligns with many individuals’ wishes.
In-home hospice care supports those who want to spend their final days at home, providing comfort care in a person’s residence. It includes pain management and emotional support. However, most patients receive regular visits from their hospice team, with a family member as the main caregiver. This means families may be alone — without a health care worker — when their loved one dies. They must notify the hospice team as soon as possible if they believe a senior is actively dying or has already died.
Immediate Care at Home After Death
Many states allow hospice nurses to declare that a patient under their care has passed on. A medical professional also completes the necessary paperwork. Nurses allow family members to spend time with their loved one. If death occurs in the absence of family, the team notifies close kin. They also ensure the privacy of the deceased person by modestly covering the body and putting it in a respectful position before closing their eyes and mouth.
As soon as possible, hospice staff washes the body, accounting for religious beliefs, loved ones’ input and known wishes of the deceased. They then dress the body in clothes chosen previously by the departed or their family. The next stage in post-mortem care involves covering the body while waiting for transportation. The hospice team contacts a funeral home on behalf of the family if they so choose.
Continuous Post-Mortem Care
Staff provides emotional support to family members, helps them notify other relatives and close friends and assists with arranging spiritual rituals. Many hospice programs also include ongoing grief and bereavement counseling for loved ones. Post-mortem care may additionally include assistance with making funeral or memorial service arrangements.