Autopsies—why families count too

The article should open every doctors eyes to the heartbreak that
relatives or loved ones suffer when a patient dies. During busy takes or
acute settings we often overlook the "soft touches" that are demanded by
someone passing away.

The piece shows how important basic communication and explanation can
be in not only helping relatives come to terms with a death but also in
preventing complaints.

I feel is also reflects yet another aspect of defensive medicine we
now practice in referring any death with even the slightest doubt to the
coroner. However, this does not prevent us from keeping family members
involved.

At our hospital there is a bereavement officer who is a lay person.
She contacts all families of deceased patients to guide them through the
certification process and in the case of referrals, advises and updates
the family on coroners decisions and investigations. The family also have
an opportunity to make an appointment to discuss any concerns or
questions.

The new Cremation form also asks for this to be done but I think as a
profession and a society, we still consider death very much a taboo topic
that is not discussed and pushed out of sight, but not out of mind as this
piece passionately shows.

Competing interests:
None declared