One unpleasant task that CERT members may face is dealing with a victim who dies while under the team’s care.

These guidelines (T.W. Dietz, 2001; J.M. Tortorici Luna, 2002) are useful for dealing with this situation:

Dealing with a victim who dies while under the team’s care:

Cover the body; treat it with respect.

Wrap mutilated bodies tightly.

If the person has died while at the treatment area, move the body to your team’s temporary morgue. (If the person was tagged as “dead” during triage, do not remove from the incident area.)

Follow local laws and protocols for handling the deceased.

Talk with local authorities to determine the plan.