Goals of patient care: Wishes for after death
This is an opportunity to allow the family to prepare for the child’s death, and to reassure the family that care will continue after the child has died. Some families will wish to plan many details in advance; others will be overwhelmed and will prefer not to discuss these issues while the child is still alive.
Some children, particularly adolescents, may wish to have input into legacy making or their funeral.
Different cultures and religions have different requirements around death and burial; for example, some religions require that people be buried within 24 hours of death.
Some parents may be very distressed at the idea of being separated from their child’s body. It may be appropriate to discuss options for prolonging the parent’s time with the child’s body: examples include partial embalming and a longer period spent with the body at home; the ‘cool room’ at Very Special Kids Hospice; and extended time in the bereavement room at Royal Children’s Hospital.
It is important to document whether memory making such as photography and fingerprint jewellery has been offered, and whether the prints have been taken.
The death of any child with current DHS involvement is reportable to the Coroner’s Court. Police must attend any reportable death. The Coroner then arranges for a contracted funeral director to transport the child’s body to a mortuary. This should be discussed with the family ahead of time.