Delivery of a Death Notification: Collaborating with First Responders

-By Darren K. Stocker, M.S., and Charles Kocher, Ed.D. Cumberland County College, Vineland, New Jersey 08362

One of the more challenging tasks of a healthcare professional may be the assignment of delivering a death notification. Without a doubt, there are numerous tasks applied by nursing professionals or first responders where tangible field training is restricted if not impractical for all impending circumstances. Often there is modest time to prepare and the direction dedicated for this topic results to trial and error learning. Experience obtained by the nursing and hospital staff often develops from being “on the job” and following the lead from others more experienced in the field. That experience, however, often comes from “on the job” experience as well, when the opportunity is presented, and with no formal instruction or preparation.

Similarly, many first responders, including police officers, fire personnel, and EMT’s, are void of proper and effective training in death notifications and may feel apprehensive, ill-equipped, unsure and awkward when dealing with the sensitive issue of death and how to properly inform the survivors. Discussing death continues to be a matter that is often not spoken about within our culture, but healthcare professionals and first responders regularly perform the task of notifying survivors during very critical times. The expectation is that notifications are to be delivered in a sympathetic, yet professional manner. Apart from the means in which a person passes away, whether by sudden and natural way or in a violent and tragic action, the selection of personnel, the method of delivery, and performance of the task are all critical to the process.

Developing a team concept may be beneficial to all those involved in the process. The team should consist of those who possess qualities of professionalism and compassion. Because the opportunities for specific training in the subject matter are constrained, sensitive information of this magnitude should not be delivered without a set of guidelines and a sense of practical application.

The following guidelines for death notifications may be useful, although it is important to ensure that each time notifications are delivered, they should be tailored to the receiver.

1. Sufficient background information on both the victims and the survivors is critical.

2. A setting that is calm and isolated should be selected and preferred. Medical centers and emergency rooms are usually equipped for this and have appropriate staff available.

3. Sufficient time for the information to be processed by the recipient is necessary. Reactions to a crisis vary and are unpredictable.

4. Allow the opportunity for questions that may be proposed. Although many questions may seem superficial, they may be very important to the survivors.

5. Apply patience and good communication skills and display empathy throughout the procedure.

Further matters for deliberation are the ethical and legal issues immediate to the delivery of a death notification to a spouse or survivor. Although the indisputable positive identity of the deceased is fundamental, it is also crucial. Victims of vehicle accidents, suicide, and other violent deaths often have little or no forms of identification. Survivors often ask to view the deceased. Information regarding the location of the victim and what actions the survivors can take and a policy on releasing the information should be secured.

Nursing staff, first responders, or other representatives delivering the death notification should be prepared to supply information that is honest, moral, authorized, as well as empathetic. Family members and friends should be shown sympathy for their loss.

Notifications should also be made as without any necessary delay. A death that is seen as unusual or tragic is often covered by the news media, and the details of the circumstances of the incident may be released immediately. The timeline of the mass media is often in conflict with that of emergency personnel. Therefore, first responders and medical staff should be aware of information being disseminated outside personnel.

The grieving process is an ordinary response to the loss of a family member or friend. Most people go through a series of stages that include disbelief, anger, recuperation, fear, anxiety, and sadness. Medical personnel and first responders should work together in recognizing the behaviors during any of these stages and be equipped for the range of reactions from the survivors.

Finally, although no inclusive policy or set of regulations will lessen the strain and anxiety immediate to the issuance of a death notification, firm and helpful guidelines should direct, inform, and support those who are tasked with making the sad and distressing announcements.

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Darren K. Stocker, M.S., is an Assistant Professor at Cumberland County College where he teaches courses in criminology, policing, and criminal psychopathology. He served asa police officer in Pennsylvania for more than twenty years. Mr. Stocker holds a Bachelors of Science degree from West Chester University, a Masters of Science degree from Saint Joseph’s University, and is completing a Masters in Education from the University of Massachusetts.

Charles J. Kocher, Ed.D., is an Assistant Professor at Cumberland County College, Vineland, New Jersey, where he serves as the Coordinator for Justice Studies. Dr. Kocher was a member of the Camden Police Department in New Jersey for thirty years and retired serving as provisional deputy police chief. Kocher holds a Doctorate Degree from Saint Joseph’s University and Masters Degrees from Saint Joseph and Rowan University.