by Chaplain Jeffrey Wolfe
Death notifications are challenging tasks for Law Enforcement Chaplains. They deliver heartbreaking news to families about the loss of their loved ones. Typically, the local Coroner’s office handles most deaths, but sometimes, they request a Police Chaplain to make the death notification.
Here are some crucial points to remember when making a Death Notification:
1. Confirm the Coroner's Positive ID
Upon receiving a call from the Coroner’s Office, confirm if they have a positive ID of the deceased. To prevent mistakes, ask how the identification was made. Common methods include fingerprint, facial identification, dental records, and DNA.
2. Gather Accurate Details of the Decedent and the Incident
Accuracy is vital. Ensure you have correct details such as the decedent’s full name, birth date, time of death, residence, cause of death, and the Coroner's details.
3. Request Assistance from a District Car
For safety reasons, always request a district car's assistance when going to notify the next of kin.
4. Be Cautious when Knocking on the Door
Wait for the district car to arrive and then inform the officer about the death notification details. Always stand to the side of the door when knocking.
5. Show Your Credentials
When the door opens, identify yourself clearly and show your credentials.
6. Confirm You are Speaking to the Legal Next of Kin
After identifying yourself, confirm if you're talking to the legal next of kin before delivering the news.
7. Don’t Give the Death Notification at the Front Door
Ask for permission to come inside the house. This is a matter of respect and privacy for the family.
8. Be Direct with the Death Notification
Start by saying, “I have some bad news for you” to prepare the person for the upcoming information. Use explicit words like “died” or “killed” to kickstart the grieving process.
9. Know the Family's Cultural and Religious Practices
Understand the grieving processes and death rituals of the family's religion or culture to show respect and avoid misunderstanding.
Continuous learning about other faiths, local resources, and enhancing chaplain skills is crucial in this line of work.
Checklist:
Checklist:
[ ] Confirm the Coroner's Positive ID
[ ] Gather Accurate Details of the Decedent and the Incident
[ ] Request Assistance from a District Car
[ ] Be Cautious when Knocking on the Door
[ ] Show Your Credentials
[ ] Confirm You are Speaking to the Legal Next of Kin
[ ] Don’t Give the Death Notification at the Front Door
[ ] Be Direct with the Death Notification
[ ] Know the Family's Cultural and Religious Practices
[ ] Continue learning about other faiths, local resources, and enhancing chaplain skills
Note: One of the courses required for the Basic Chaplain Credential within the International Conference of Police Chaplains is called Death Notifications. Make sure you go through proper training and even observe an actual death notification before attempting to make your first notification solo (with an officer).
About the Author
Fr Jeff is the Managing Consultant for Write Right Consulting (Write Right, LLC), a First Responder Chaplain Consultant Firm specializing in Law Enforcement and Disaster Response Chaplaincy; a Contributing Editor, Writer, and content provider for ChaplainUSA.org; Adjunct Professor for the SCA University of Theology and Spirituality; a former Chaplain with the Indiana Guard Reserve (IGR), under 81st Troop Command as a member of the Chaplain Corps (US Army protocol) and a graduate of the Indiana Guard Reserve Military Police Academy; a member of The American Institute of Stress (https://stress.org); and a member of the Hendricks County, Indiana Crisis Response Team (NOVA CRT Trained and a CISM Instructor).