Postmortem Care (Care of Body after Death)

Basic Concept: Post-mortem care is an independent nursing procedure done to the body after death. It is a
continuation of quality of care to a patient.

Objectives:

1. To clean the patient’s body

2. To prepare the body from the morgue.

3. To make the body appear natural and comfortable as possible for the deceased.

Materials/ Equipment:

 Tray lined with drape  Cotton balls

 3 Basins with water  Gauze or 3 soft strings
 2% Lysol solution  Incontinent pad
 Soap in a soap dish  Clean gloves
 Pair of scissors and dressing tray (OS,  3 wash cloths
plaster)  Towel
 Kidney basin  Bath blanket
 Mortuary box with three tags  Linens
 3 tags: hospital no., name of client, date - White linen (folded diagonally) Cadaver bag
and time of death, physician
- Any linen/ sheet to cover the body while
 4 safety pins
waiting for the messenger

Preparation:

1. Assess that death has been pronounced by the 4. Prepare materials needed.
physician.
5. Provide privacy.
2. Determine the cause of death.
6. Wear gloves.
3. Determine client’s religion, culture and beliefs.
7. Change linen/ blanket to bath blanket.

1. Straighten the body, placed dentures if the patient has any, keep the mouth close and eyes before rigor
mortis sets in.
2. Remove all appliances, jewelry and endorse properly.
3. Remove extra bed linen, pillows, and leave one pillow under the head.
4. Move the body near your working area.
5. Bath body aseptically with soap and water then rinse with Lysol. Start from the face and include the
neck.
6. Then the upper extremities.
7. Chest and abdomen
8. Back, start bathing from upper back or shoulder towards the buttocks/ lower back
9. Lower extremities
10. Perineum (optional)
11. Change soiled dressings.
12. Inset cotton balls to the nose, vagina and anus.
13. Fold the hands to the chest or abdomen.
14. Place a tag.
15. Tie the ankles together. Then, place a tag.
16. Turn the body away from you.
17. Lay sheet diagonally and spread the portion of the sheet towards you.
18. Place incontinent pad at the back and buttocks.
19. Turn the body again towards you.
20. Raise the side rail. Then, go back to your working area (other side of the bed) and lower the side rail.
21. Spread the rolled portion of the sheet. Then, the incontinent pad.
22. Raise the side rail. Then, go back to your working area (other side of the bed) and lower the side rail.
23. Fold the sheet, covering the entire body part.
a. While covering, slowly remove the bath blanket.
b. Cover starting from the foot, then body, and head.
24. Pin on the head, center, and on the foot. Place a tag.
25. Cover another sheet while waiting for the messenger.
26. Do after care and wash hands.
27. Document
Time or cessation of vital signs
Person notified and time of notification
List and document valuable and personal effects
Time body removed from unit, destination and removed by whom
Other relevant information
28. Bring the cadaver to the morgue.