Guidance

COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased

Advice to assist people required to manage bodies of deceased persons infected with coronavirus (COVID-19).

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 31 March 2020
• Last updated: 14 March 2022
  Show all updates

  1. 14 March 2022

     Updated information for staff who manage the deceased.

  2. 15 December 2021

     Updated with advice for volunteers with underlying conditions, and staff, to self-isolate because of a recent close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

  3. 11 October 2021

     Updated to reflect the end of the shielding programme.

  4. 16 August 2021

     Updated in line with changes to Step 4 of the roadmap.

  5. 22 April 2021

     Updated links to Guidance for managing a funeral, updated advice to those at higher risk of severe disease.

  6. 4 February 2021

     Updated to reflect current legislation and added links to guidance on working safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  7. 14 December 2020

     Updated self-isolation period to 10 days.

  8. 31 July 2020

     Changed stay at home period from 7 to 10 days.

  9. 8 July 2020

     Added a loss of, or change in, the normal sense of taste or smell as a COVID-19 symptom.

  10. 15 May 2020

      Added clarification on guidance and legislation.

  11. 12 May 2020

      Updated guidance on sharing information with others, residual risk of infection from the deceased and the use of body bags, and the use of PPE for those who are responsible for care of the deceased.

  12. 20 April 2020

      Added translated versions of guidance.

  13. 31 March 2020

      First published.

This publication was withdrawn on 1 April 2022

This guidance has been superseded by Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on handling the deceased with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Documents

Guidance for care of the deceased with suspected or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19)

HTML

Details

This guidance contains information for those managing a death in the community, secondary care, residential care and adult social care settings. It also contains information for staff and appropriately trained volunteers who manage deceased people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.