How to care for a patient after death in the community

Rationale and key points This article provides nurses with information about how to care for a patient after death, and support their family and loved ones in the community setting. ▶ Care after death involves supporting the family and significant others, and providing personal care to the patient. ▶ It is important to ensure privacy, dignity and respect of the deceased and to recognise this is a sensitive and difficult time for families. ▶ Staff undertaking care after death should be offered support. ▶ Local and national guidelines should be followed. Reflective activity Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice, reflect on and write a short account of: 1. How reading this article will change your practice. 2. How this article could help you to consider the support mechanisms in place for the provision of care after death in the community setting. Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio .