Returning the Deceased Person's Belongings

Belongings, soiled and clean, returned in plastic bags

Mr Prendergast was a patient for several months in hospital where he was being treated for cancer and eventually died. After his death his partner made several complaints about his treatment and care. One of the many complaints made by her was that her partner’s belongings (both soiled and clean) were returned to her in green plastic bags.

The soiled clothing was a stark reminder to her of his pain and suffering in his final days. The return of his personal belongings in refuse sacks, so impersonally and insensitively, was far from the dignified approach she felt should have been taken. She saw the hospital’s actions as careless, thoughtless and lacking in respect.

What can we learn?

Returning a deceased patient’s belongings to his or her family needs to be managed sensitively.

What seems like a simple action can highlight the different attitudes of staff and bereaved relatives. Returning belongings is a routine task for hospital staff. Staff are used to seeing clothing or belongings in a soiled state and of course, they are obliged to return these to the relatives.

To the relative, the return of the belongings is evidence of the loved one’s death, and evidence that his or her death may have taken place in unpleasant circumstances. To some people the manner in which the belongings are returned will not matter; to others the use of a plastic bag is disrespectful and it is important that the belongings are presented in a more appropriate way. Some people might prefer not to have soiled or damaged clothing returned to them at all and it might to appropriate to have hospital staff offer the choice of disposing of items.

This issue was initially raised when the Ombudsman conducted a formal investigation into end of life care in one acute hospital. As a result of the investigation, the IHF introduced the concept of the ‘Handover Bag’, designed to return belongings in a formal and dignified way. It was disappointing to see the same problem occurring in a different hospital.