Support care after death

This standard identifies the requirements when supporting care after death in line with the preferences of the individual. This includes contributing to personal care after death, providing support to others with the viewing of the deceased individual, and the dignified and respectful transfer of the deceased individual.

---

1. identify and agree the roles and responsibilities of yourself and others in care after death
2. work in partnership with all involved to agree how care after death will be carried out in line with the preferences of individuals and others, and circumstances surrounding death  
3. gather all required toiletries, materials, equipment and clothes for personal care of the deceased individual
4. ensure infection prevention and control methods and personal protective equipment are used 
5. work in partnership with others to plan, carry out and co-ordinate personal care and moving and positioning of the deceased individual
6. carry out personal care, dressing and aesthetic activities for the deceased individual in a dignified and respectful way 
7. ensure resources and equipment are disposed of, returned, or cleaned and stored 
8. follow workplace requirements for identifying the deceased individual
9. follow workplace requirements for recording personal items of the deceased individual
10. clean, tidy and prepare environments before and after the viewing and transfer of the deceased individual
11. support others in a dignified and respectful way and provide them with the time, privacy, and facilities they need for the viewing of the deceased individual
12. contribute to the transfer of the deceased individual in a dignified and respectful way which minimises distress to others 
13. contribute to records and reports required for supporting care after death 
14. reflect on how you carried out your roles and responsibilities to support care after death, with feedback from others

---

1. how to access and review information about the preferences for care after death, and why this is important
2. the influence of culture, background and spirituality on how care after death is carried out 
3. the timelines to follow for care after death and why these are important 
4. the impact on timelines if the deceased individual is a tissue or organ donor
5. how and why to involve others in personal care of the deceased individual and the importance of preparing and supporting them 
6. the importance of dignity, kindness and compassion when supporting care after death
7. how to support and comfort others with their emotions before, during and after viewing the deceased individual
8. the importance of using communication and language sensitively when supporting others during care after death
9. the complexity of relationships and the impact death may have
10. how to apply trauma informed principles to support others during care after death
11. types of digital tools and devices that can support care after death
12. the physical changes that occur after death and how this may impact moving the deceased individual
13. different aesthetic activities that can be carried out to prepare the deceased individual for viewing
14. the types of toiletries, materials, equipment used for personal care of the deceased individual and the importance of clothing selection
15. methods to ensure the deceased individual is clearly identified and why this is important
16. how to record personal items and the importance of noting if they are remaining on the deceased individual
17. the role of environments, time, privacy, and facilities to support others with the viewing of the deceased individual
18. how to transfer the deceased individual in a dignified and respectful way which minimises distress to others 
19. the infection prevention and control methods used during care after death, and why this is important
20. the records and reports required for supporting care after death 
21. the relevant legal requirements, standards of practice, frameworks and guidance for supporting care after death
22. the workplace requirements on equality, diversity, inclusion and rights when supporting care after death
23. how to seek support for yourself and signpost others when dealing with death 
24. how to work in partnership with others during care after death 
25. how to respond to issues and concerns that may occur when supporting care after death 
26. how your personal experiences and unconscious bias may impact when supporting care after death, and how to address this
27. the role of supervision, reflective practice and learning and development in supporting care after death

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

The glossary for this National Occupational Standard is available on the Skills for Care and Development website.

---

---

---

1

---

2031

---

Current

---

Original

---

Skills for Care & Development

---

HSCCLD227

---

Social Care and Childrens Care

---

---

Care after death, Health and Social Care & Children’s Care Learning and Development

---