When a person dies in the hospital, the immediate focus shifts to respectfully handling the deceased's body and supporting their family.
Initial Steps After Death
After a person passes away in a hospital setting, several procedures take place:
- Pronouncement of Death: A doctor officially pronounces the death.
- Notification of Family: Hospital staff promptly inform the family or next of kin about the passing.
- Body Preparation: The body is prepared for transfer, usually involving basic cleaning and care.
Body Care and Transfer
The primary concern becomes the care of the deceased's body, as outlined in the provided reference:
The reference states, "The body will then be laid out and kept in the hospital mortuary until you arrange for the funeral directors, family or whoever you chose to collect it."
This indicates the following steps:
- The body is carefully prepared and laid out.
- The body is transferred to the hospital's mortuary.
- The body remains there until the family or their designated representative arranges for its collection.
Options for Body Collection
The reference also mentions different options for where the body goes after being collected from the mortuary:
The reference also mentions, "If you choose, funeral directors will take the body to their chapel of rest until the funeral takes place."
This highlights that:
- Funeral Director Transfer: A funeral director can be arranged to collect the body.
- Chapel of Rest: The funeral director may take the body to their chapel of rest for preparation and holding until the funeral service.
Summary of Post-Death Procedures in a Hospital
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Pronouncement | A doctor officially declares the death. |
| Family Notification | Hospital staff contacts the deceased's family or next of kin. |
| Body Preparation | The body is cleaned and prepared for transfer. |
| Transfer to Mortuary | The body is moved to the hospital's mortuary, awaiting collection. |
| Collection Arrangements | The family makes arrangements for the collection of the body, either by funeral directors, family members, or another designated person. |
| Funeral Director Option | If chosen, funeral directors will take the body to their chapel of rest. |
| Preparation for Funeral | The funeral directors prepare the body for the upcoming funeral service. |
