Handling the Body of a Nursing Home Resident Who Has Passed Away

Nursing homes often face the challenge of handling the bodies of their residents after they pass away. This process involves several steps to ensure proper care and adherence to legal regulations. Understanding these procedures can help families and facilities manage loss more effectively.

Notification of Authorities

When a resident passes away in a nursing home, the staff will first notify the appropriate authorities. This could include emergency services and the local coroner or medical examiner, depending on the circumstances of the death.

Verification of Death

A licensed medical professional, often a nurse or a physician, will confirm the death and complete the necessary documentation. This is typically done by checking for radial and carotid pulses and listening for heart sounds apically over the chest. If no pulse or heart sounds are found, the individual is declared deceased.

Contacting the Family

The nursing home will inform the deceased resident's family or designated contacts about the passing. This step often involves providing necessary documents such as a death certificate or medical records to the funeral home or family for the burial or cremation process.

Arrangements for Removal

Families are usually responsible for making arrangements for the removal of the body. This often involves contacting a funeral home or mortuary, which handles the transportation of the body. If the resident was on end-of-life care or hospice, prior plans may already be in place for a specific funeral home or mortuary.

Respectful Handling

Throughout the process, nursing home staff ensure that the body is treated with dignity and respect until it is transferred to the funeral home. This is crucial to maintain the surviving family's peace of mind.

Handling Unexpected Deaths

If a resident passes away unexpectedly, such as due to a stroke or heart attack, the nursing home has specific protocols for an "unattended death." In this case, the non-emergency police number is called to report the death and request the police and coroner to respond. Fire department medics can also confirm the death in these situations.

Coroners' Involvement

The coroners' office is often involved. They will take statements and collect information regarding the patient's health and the events leading up to their passing. This information can be used for insurance claims or legal purposes.

Final Disposition

The deceased will be moved to the coroners' office to be placed in cold storage. Once the primary physician can be contacted to determine if they will sign the death certificate, the body can be sent to the appropriate funeral home or mortuary. If the primary physician cannot be reached, an autopsy may be required.

Designated People and Wards

The nursing home will typically insist on having a designated person to contact for a resident, usually a relative or friend. If there is no one available, the resident may be prompted to declare their own arrangements or, if unable to make decisions, they may be declared a ward of the state. This process involves appointing a person to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf.

Handling the body of a deceased nursing home resident requires careful planning and execution. By understanding the protocols involved, families and facilities can navigate the process more smoothly and with respect for the deceased.