After-death duties

Continue to provide care after a patient has died. As relevant, this includesCareSearch, 2022:

• completing legal requirements
• organising care of the deceased’s body
• communicating the death to the family and carers, and supporting them in a culturally responsive manner, including providing advice on what to do when the patient has died (see Additional considerations in preparing patients for death at home for practical advice on what to do for patients who died at home)
• offering support from other members of the healthcare team
• communicating the death to relevant healthcare professionals and homecare services
• contacting the community nursing team—they can help with practical matters including organising support for the family
• contacting the funeral director—although this is often done by the family or carer
• offering to contact a minister of religion or funeral celebrant
• advising family or carers to return any unused drugs to a pharmacy
• arranging collection of equipment in the patient’s home
• considering attending the patient’s funeral.

Resources to help with after-death care are available on the CareSearch website, including advice on organ and tissue donation.

Healthcare professionals who cared for patients who have died may need support—see Healthcare professional wellbeing in palliative care.