Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Information for First Responders on Emotional
Reactions to Human Bodies in Mass Death
In your work responding totime is very important. This helps
emergencies and disasters, you may
prevent getting lost in your own
Working with remains may arouse strong
see, smell, and handle the remains ofthoughts or emotions.
feelings of pity, horror, repulsion, disgust,individuals of all ages. Working with■■ Help others in distress byor around them may arouse strong
and anger. These reactions are normal.
being a good listener. Don’tfeelings of pity, horror, repulsion,
mistake expression of feelings
disgust, and anger at the senselessness
for weakness. Remind others thatof this tragedy. You may feel guilty forstrong emotions are normal and honorable.
not helping enough. These reactions are normal and a part■■ Humor is a good stress release. Even graveyard humorof being human. You may feel emotionally numb, or you
privately among friends may be helpful but this will bemay even use “graveyard humor” to make the suffering andoffensive to some. Do not be disrespectful toward thedeath seem less terrible. These are also normal responses.
remains.
Strong emotions or reactions may be most painful when a■■ Limit your exposure to bodies as much as possible.
victim is a child, or reminds you of someone you love, orof yourself. Even if you’ve worked in disaster environments■■ Limit the exposure of others, also, by using screens,
before you may react differently here than you have in theponcho curtains, partitions, covers, body bags, andpast. Remember strong emotions are honorable and theybarriers whenever possible.
confirm your humanity.
■■ Since perfumes or aftershaves used to mask odors
Here are lessons learned by other people who have
may trigger later memories, it may be better to breathe
worked with bodies in disaster environments. Althoughthrough your mouth than to use these items to cover up
these tips cannot make a horrible event easy, they will help
unpleasant smells.
you continue to work, and to live with your experiences and■■ Be compassionate, but avoid focusing on any individual
memories without being haunted by them:victim—especially those you may identify with.
■■ Remember the larger purpose of your work. By■■ Personal effects found near bodies may be important
recovering bodies for identification and respectful
for identification. They may also become importantburial you are showing care, giving hope, and preventing
reminders for surviving family members or loved ones
disease for the living. Your supervisor must be aware
so they should not be taken as souvenirs.
of all body recovery work that you do and coordinate■■ Do not focus on personal effects more than necessary aswith the local authorities requesting assistance in this
this can be particularly distressing.
important effort.
■■ Remind yourself that bodies are not people anymore —■■ Seek information about job requirements and thejust the remains.
experience of others. It may be difficult to prepare■■ It’s OK to say silent prayers, but let local religious leaders
yourself mentally for what you will see and do.
conduct memorial services or more public ceremonies.
■■ While on the job wear protective gloves and coveralls■■ Be respectful of local cultures and religious beliefs thatto reduce your risk of disease, take frequent breaks,
may be very different from your own.
maintain hygiene, drink plenty of fluids, and eat good
food. Rest (off of your feet) when not working. Facilities■■ As time allows, have your team get together for mutual
for rest, washing hands and face, for showers and fresh
support and encouragement.
clothes should be available.
■■ Acknowledge horrible aspects of the work, but do■■ Talking with others while working and during down
not dwell on memories of the details. You should let
Continued

your supervisor know if an aspect of your work is
particularly difficult or stressful for you — a job change
may be helpful.
■■ Afterwards, do not feel guilty about having distanced
yourself mentally from the suffering or tragic deaths ofindividuals.
■■ Some people find debriefings with trained counselors
helpful but others do not. Participation should bevoluntary. Any group debriefings should be with people
who shared your experiences.

■■ Strange dreams or nightmares, feeling tense, or having

intrusive memories are common during or shortly after
stressful work with human remains.
■■ Sharing your emotional reactions with loved ones isoften helpful, but may be very difficult to do.
■■ If anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties or irritability
persist more than two weeks after your return home
you should seek assistance from a counselor or aphysician.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org