6.3. Management of dead bodies
In natural disasters, the management of dead bodies is not the responsibility of the ministry of health. However, in epidemics (such as cholera), where the disinfection of bodies is important, the ministry of health must take the necessary public health measures.
There is a good deal of misinformation and confusion surrounding the issue of management of dead bodies. The public and for various actors involved in the intervention require clariafication in order to provide a more appropriate and better organized response. Dealing with bodies involves not only health considerations and legal issues, but also the very decisive influence of the cultural, social, religious and psychological characteristics of the population affected by the disaster.
The plan for managing mass casualties should previously have set out the organizational and procedural approaches to the management of mortal remains. Below, however, are some of the fundamentals, largely based on Management of dead bodies after disasters – A field manual for first responders.
6.3.1. Organization of areas of work
Coordination mechanisms must be established at the local, regional, and national levels to carry out the following tasks:
- Organizing an interinstitutional team to coordinate the different activities, including at a minimum representatives of the health sector, relief and security entities, the military, and the relevant judicial body.
- Establishing a team within the Emergency Operations Center for the relevant interinstitutional coordination.
- Implementing a specific contingency plan for managing bodies.
- Managing information and coordinating assessment activities.
- Identifying and obtaining available and required resources.
- Organizing the dissemination of information to family members and the general public.
6.3.2. Recovery and removal of bodies (read more beginning on page 36 of Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations)
Although the recovery of human remains should not interrupt assistance being provided to the survivors, it is also important to quickly recover bodies because it allows disaster victims to be identified and reduces the psychological burden borne by survivors. In organizing this work, it is important to:
1. Implement coordination mechanisms for the different groups and individuals who are participating either spontaneously or in an organized manner in recovering bodies.
2. Provide instructions on methods and procedures for the tasks involved, including the following:
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- Bodies should be kept in body bags. If there are none, other materials such as plastic, sheets, etc. can be used.
- Body parts should be dealt with as if they were a complete corpse. Recovery teams should not attempt to compare body parts found at the site of the disaster.
- Body recovery teams work more effectively if they are divided into two groups: one to transfer bodies to a nearby collection point and another to take them to the identification and storage areas.
- Keep records of the exact place and date where the body was found to facilitate identification..
- Personal belongings, jewelry, and documents found with human remains should not be removed initially, only during the phase of identifying the bodies.
- Ambulances are best reserved for providing aid to survivors; another type of vehicle should be used to move bodies.
- Follow basic standards of respect when dealing with bodies and their belongings.
- Give consideration to general and specific legal issues (these will vary with the type of event) that need to be borne in mind while carrying out the work, such as protecting evidence, recording the chain of custody, and preserving the recovery site.
3. Give health and safety instructions to the team participating in body recovery, including:
- Safety precautions for those who handle bodies, such as the use of protective gear (heavy-duty gloves and boots) and hand washing with soap and water after handling.
- Specific precautions according to the place where the work is being done (where there may be rubble, collapsed buildings, flooded areas, etc.), and care to have first aid equipment.
- Specific attention to any risks facing team members, such as the risk of infection—tetanus being the most common hazard.