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Guidelines for caring for a dead child at home, prior to the funeral
 Appendix C

Some parents may wish to take their child home following post-mortem examination and prior to the funeral service. In this situation written guidelines regarding the care of the body at home should be provided to the parents or family members.

  1. It is advisable that a competent person (such as a nurse) carry out the dressing of the child and the decoration of the dead child's bedside or resting place in the home.
  2. The room where the dead child will rest should be cleaned before the body is placed in it. It is important that all extraneous substances, such as perfumes, etc. are removed.
  3. No heating of any type should be used in the room and the windows should be left open. It is important that if the room is vacant that someone is adjacent to the room for security purposes.
  4. At no time should candles or other lighted objects be left unattended.
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