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

Guidelines on Notifying Families ofDead or Missing Loved Ones
This document is written for
The following Dos and Don’ts are
When a person is missing, the following
leaders, healthcare providers, andgeneral recommendations fordisaster workers who assist local andthose who assist local and national
information will help authorities tonational authorities following naturalauthorities following mass death.
communicate with family members: thedisasters, terrorist actions, or otherevents that result in large numbers ofDO:circumstances at the disaster site, status of
dead, injured, and missing persons.
■ Educate yourself on local
efforts to recover bodies, and how
In a natural disaster of great
attitudes and beliefs regarding
remains will be returned.
magnitude and scope, multiple
death and the dead.
countries are directly affected and■ Locate local authorities whomany nations’ citizens from outside
can inform you about customs and procedures andthe region may be dead or missing as a result. In such an
introduce yourself. These are important relationships
event, the task of providing information to families whosethat facilitate the work.
loved ones are missing is accomplished by government■ Determine the type and location of local/national/organizations (including embassies, state department
international sources of assistance to the families.
consular staff, and military services) as well as a numberof non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross.
■ Be sensitive and consider that cultural and religious
Nations have different organizations that are likely to bebeliefs about post-mortem examination of the dead vary
involved. Procedures for notiﬁcation of the next of kin
widely. Be prepared to explain why special procedures
when a family member or loved one is missing or has beensuch as autopsies may be necessary.
conﬁrmed dead are usually highly structured, formal, anddepend on the particular citizen’s country’s laws, customs,DON’T:
procedures, and traditions.
■ Inform anyone outside of local authorities or the family
Non-local disaster workers will be most successful whenof the death. Your local contacts can help you determine
acting through local authorities. In the absence of ofﬁcial
who are the appropriate family members to inform.
authorities, guidance can be sought from local personnel■ Offer information, goods, or services that you cannot
who hold a respected place in the affected communities.
deliver, or unsubstantiated confirmation of the death orLocal ofﬁcials should perform the notiﬁcation whenevercondition of bodies.
possible. Local customs will usually dictate who does theinforming, who in the family is informed, documentation of ■ Institute procedures that conflict with local customs.
■ Tell the news media names of victims, circumstances of
the circumstances of the death (manner and cause of death,death, or condition of bodies.
condition, and location of the remains) and actions yet to betaken, if any, before the body is returned to the family.
For personnel who are participating in the actual
When a person is missing, the following information
notiﬁcation of family members
will help authorities to communicate with family members:
the circumstances at the disaster site, status of efforts toDO:
recover bodies, and how remains will be returned. Do notoffer guarantees about the time required or assurances that
■ Make sure you are speaking to the appropriate next ofa body will be recovered.
kin.
■ Make the notiﬁcation in person and in a private areawith all parties seated whenever possible.
Continued

■ Be accompanied by clergy or other appropriate sources■■■■of spiritual support.
Inform in a simple, measured, straightforward fashion(e.g. “I’m afraid I have some very bad news for you(pause) As you know there has been a (disaster) in____.(pause). Your ____ has died. (Your ____ ismissing and presumed dead).”
Be warm, compassionate, and prepared for intense
feelings. Comments such as “I am so sorry” or “I know
this is very hard” are helpful.
Answer all of the questions that you can simply andhonestly.
Ask if the survivor has another family member
or friend who can stay and help with the initialadjustment.

■ Inform the family of additional people to contact and

who will contact them regarding disposition of remains.

DON’T:■ Offer clichés such as “Things will get better” or “I’msure it will all work out.”■ Offer false assurances such as “The embassy will takecare of everything,” or “I’m sure you’re going to be OK.”
■ Offer unsubstantiated comments about thecircumstances or experience of the deceased “I’m surehe didn’t suffer.”■ Leave someone alone without arranged contacts.

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