News
Dying Matters: opening a mortuary to the public
On Sunday 15 May, the mortuary staff at Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust opened their doors to the public and staff. The event was held as part of the Dying Matters ‘The Big Conversation’ week.
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On Sunday 15 May, the mortuary staff at Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust opened their doors to the public and staff. The event was held as part of the Dying Matters ‘The Big Conversation’ week.
The aim of the day was to raise awareness of what happens in a mortuary. Before starting the tour, visitors were asked to write down on a scroll what their initial thoughts where about mortuaries and what happens in them.
Mortuary manager, Kathleen Robinson, and senior technician, Emma Romeling, who are qualified anatomical pathology technologists, were on hand to guide people around the mortuary and answer any questions. A member the of HM Coroners service, Zena Hartington was also available to answer queries prompted by the visit. The WWL team received further support from Lynda Finney (Marie Curie), Olwyn Perkin (St Ann’s Hospice), Janet Davenport (Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust) and Lucy Lyon (Wigan Borough CCG).
People that visited were given the opportunity to have a look at the viewing room and the post mortem room. To preserve patient dignity and confidentiality photos were displayed of the storage area to enable the public to see inside. The viewing room was set up to appear as it would if in use. All those that visited were intrigued by the post mortem room. There they saw various pieces of equipment used in the room and to carrying out post mortems, as well as the personal protective equipment worn by staff.
At the end of the tour, visitors where once again asked to note down their thoughts and perceptions. They were also invited to reflect on whether their views had changed and why.
Here are some of the pre-tour comments:
‘Curious what will we see. I expect coldness and lots of stainless steel’
‘Interested in what happens and to see what goes on after death’
‘As a funeral director, I want to be able to advise people’
‘Always wondered what goes on behind the scenes’
And here are some comments following the tour:
‘The viewing room is much less bleak than I had imagined’
‘Was really interesting to see for myself and hear what goes on, very reassuring. Really appreciate the time taken by staff to talk through everything and answer questions’
‘Reassuring’
‘The mortuary is a very important part of a hospital’
‘Feel so much better, pictured it really dark and scary, but actually just feels like a theatre bright and not at all scary! The viewing room is lovely and peaceful I think families would feel welcome and at ease with their loved ones.’
The day was well received, with lots of positive questions asked. Those who came said they felt so much better knowing what a mortuary was actually like. The open event was attended by a variety of people; from trust staff, care home staff, funeral directors and the general public.
Overall this was a successful day with positive feedback. Visitors commented that they felt very reassured. They would be more comfortable with their loved ones being brought to and cared for by the team of staff working in the mortuary and coming to see their loved one.
Find out more about Dying Matters: The Big Conversation
Emma Romeling
Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist
RAEI Mortuary