Last Offices and Care of the Deceased

“Last Offices” refers to the care given to a person’s body after death. It is a key part of supporting dignity and respect for individuals within health and social care settings.
The process must be carried out in compliance with local and organisational policies, taking into account cultural and religious beliefs that may guide the care and handling of the body.
It is also crucial to consider health and safety measures, specifically infection control procedures when performing last offices.

Performing Last Offices

Performing last offices usually includes washing and dressing the deceased in clean clothes, often those chosen by the family.
Gently close the deceased’s eyes and mouth, ensuring delicate handling to prevent tissue damage.
It’s important to ensure high standards of hygiene, wear protective equipment like gloves and aprons during this process to prevent risk of infection transmission.
Personal belongings like jewellery, glasses etc. should be removed, cleaned, and returned to the family unless cultural or religious practices dictate otherwise.

Entrusting Body to Funeral Directors

After carrying out last offices, the body must be prepared for collection by the funeral directors. Here infection control remains a priority, as the body must be wrapped in a shroud or body bag, which should be securely sealed.
Before transfer, the body should be marked with a form of identification, such as a tag on the wrist or ankle, to mitigate potential misidentification.
It’s valuable to notice that different organisations can have different protocols for entrusting body to funeral directors, hence it’s necessary to follow the specific guidelines of your workplace.

Communicating with the Family

It’s essential to communicate sensitively and respectfully with the deceased’s family, providing appropriate support and information.
When handling personal effects of the deceased, it’s important to clean and disinfect such items before returning them to reduce risks of infection spread.
The family should be informed of all procedures that have taken place and provided with any necessary documentation, such as a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

Remember, no matter how routine last offices become in your health and social care practice, it’s important to maintain the respect, dignity and infection control procedures involved in this process.