Last Offices has its foundation in traditional cultures and is a nursing routine that does not have a large amount of research‐based evidence (Cooke [6]). The administration of Last Offices can have symbolic meaning for nurses, often providing a sense of closure. It can be a fulfilling experience as it is the final demonstration of respectful, sensitive care given to a patient (Nearney [36]) and also the family (Speck [55]).

Many parts of this nursing procedure are based on general principles of infection prevention and control, and safe working. Furthermore, there is a cultural requirement to continue with the practice of Last Offices, as ‘rituals serve to express symbolic meanings important to groups of people functioning within a subculture’ (Wolf [62], p. 59). This is particularly important with something as profound as death. Rituals have a role in providing comfort and structure at a traumatic time, which Neuberger ([38]) suggests can be valuable for families. Nurses approaching this act of care with compassion might enable families to see that their family member was respected and cared for, even after death. Nurses demonstrate the respect they have for a person who has died and the family, who may now ‘own’ the body, through rituals associated with Last Offices (Pattison [46]).

Last Offices can be considered a ritualistic practice that is irrational and unscientific (Philpin [48]). However, this is not to say that nurses carrying out Last Offices do it ‘without thinking about it in a problem‐solving way’ (Walsh and Ford [59], p. 9) or in a way that does not recognize the individual needs of deceased patients and their carers. Instead, Last Offices is carried out with insight into the meanings attached to the accomplishment of this aspect of nursing care (Philpin [48]).

This aspect of care is usually carried out on the ward. When a mortuary technician is not available nurses may be asked to prepare a body when a family request to view a patient in either a mortuary (Figure 28.2) or a designated viewing room (Figure 28.3).

National guidance for staff responsible for care after death has been developed over the last few years to help and support nurses and healthcare professionals through this procedure (National Nurse Consultant Group, Palliative Care [34]). National guidance on infection prevention and control in relation to people who have died is also available. Care of the patient who has died must take into account health and safety guidelines to ensure families, healthcare workers, mortuary staff and undertakers are not put at risk (National Nurse Consultant Group, Palliative Care [34]). This chapter incorporates this guidance into broader national guidance where appropriate. It aims to ensure that patients who have died are treated with respect and dignity even after death, that legalities are adhered to, and that appropriate infection prevention and control measures are taken.