Page 130 - COVID-19 Inpatient Training Resources

Document Name: Preparation of Deceased persons at Unity Health
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Developed Date: June 19 , 2020
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Updated: June 22 , 2020
Expiry Date: N/A
Distribution Approved by: IPP, Security, EVS, Access & Flow, Spiritual Care
Contact for suggestions for next version: IPP
Intended use: Unity Health Toronto - St. Joseph’s

 Send belongings bag with but not in the body bag to the morgue; FHs should accept belongings
except for COVID-19 and PUI patients. Arrangements will be made with the family to pick up
belongings at SJHC for COVID -19 and PUI home.
 Bed Booking at SJHC will make pick up arrangements with the family for their loved ones belongings
that are not sent with the funeral home
 Note: For unclaimed bodies, i.e. confirmed no NOK, itemize and document all belongings as per
procedure outlined. Then, place the bag into the body bag for release to MacKinnon & Bowes.
Indicate on outside of body bag in permanent marker that belongings are inside bag.

Body Transfer to Morgue: Patient Transport

 Immediately after leaving the room, ensure the body bag is completely wiped down with a
disinfectant solution (a hospital-grade disinfectant). Start disinfection from perimeter, then the
zipper, ending with the centre.
 Transfer deceased person to the morgue as per regular process within 4hrs of patient death.
 Note: On evenings and weekends, porters will continue to support transfer to the morgue for
PUI/COVID positive patients only. All other transfers will revert back to pre-covid processes.

Deceased Persons Requiring Financial Supports for Funeral and/or Burial Costs

 Completed through Funeral Services Department at the City of Toronto.
 For deceased persons who are on Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW):
o The process remains the same. The next of kin is able to immediately contact a funeral home
of their choice and tell the funeral home that the deceased was receiving social services. In
these situations, a deceased person is automatically approved for social services financial
support when receiving ODSP or OW.
 For deceased persons who had not been receiving social assistance and are unable to cover funeral
and burial services:
o The application process now occurs over telephone with Social Services Funeral Service o
Department by calling 416-338-8888 from Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
o The application call requires that next of kin provides all supporting documentation required
including the deceased’s current income and assets. Claims will be approved or denied
immediately during the call.
o If death occurs outside of these hours, next of kin can inform funeral provider that they plan
to apply for assistance (it is at the discretion of the funeral home to accept the body as
approval for funding is not a given)
 From a clinician perspective when informing families of this process:
o The call to apply cannot be made until the person is deceased
o The deceased must be a City of Toronto resident
o Next of kin will require all documentation and application information ready when calling to
apply in order for immediate approval

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