RESPONDING TO THE PHILIPPINES T YPHOON

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) is part of the Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Emotional Reactions to Human Remains
in Mass Death
In mass disaster relief operations,food. Rest (off of your feet) when
Though personnel may begin an
the role of relief workers can change.
not working. Facilities for rest,
Though personnel may begin an
washing hands and face, for
operation expecting to provide food,operation expecting to provide food,showers and fresh clothes should
shelter and care for other basic needs,
shelter and care for other basic needs,
be available.
they can ultimately become involved
they can ultimately become involved■■ Talking with others while working
in recovering the remains of disasterand during down time is veryin recovering the remains ofvictims. If this occurs, you are likely toimportant. This helps prevent
disaster victims.
see, smell, and handle the remains ofgetting lost in your own thoughts
men women and children of all ages.
or emotions.
Working with or around them may■■ Help others in distress by being a good listener. Don’t
arouse strong feelings of pity, horror, repulsion, disgust,mistake expression of feelings for weakness. Remindand anger at the senselessness of this tragedy. You may feelothers that strong emotions are normal and honorable.
guilty for not helping enough. These reactions are normal■■ Humor is a good stress release. Even graveyard humor
and a part of being human. You may feel emotionallyprivately among friends may be helpful but this will benumb, or you may even use “graveyard humor” to makeoffensive to some. Do not be disrespectful toward thethe suffering and death seem less terrible. These are also
remains.
normal responses. Strong emotions or reactions may be■■ Limit your exposure to remains as much as possible.
most painful when a victim is a child, or reminds you of
someone you love, or of yourself. Even if you’ve worked in■■ Limit the exposure of others, also, by using screens,disaster environments before you may react differently here
poncho curtains, partitions, covers, body bags, andthan you have in the past. Remember strong emotions arebarriers whenever possible.
honorable and they 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 remains 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: Remember thevictim—especially those with whom you may identify.
larger purpose of your work.
■■ Personal effects found near remains may be important■■ By recovering remains 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 remains are not people anymore■■ It may be difficult to prepare yourself mentally for— just the remains.
what you will see and do. Specific information about
job requirements and the experience of others can be■■ It’s OK to say silent prayers, but let local religious leaders
helpful.
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 goodContinued

■■ As time allows, have your team get together formutual support and encouragement.
■■ Acknowledge horrible aspects of the work, but do
not dwell on memories of the details. You should
let your supervisor know if an aspect of your work
is particularly difficult or stressful for you — a jobchange may be helpful.
■■ Afterwards, do not feel guilty about having distanced
yourself mentally from the suffering or tragic deathsof individuals.
■■ Some people find debriefings with trained counselors
helpful but others do not. Participation should bevoluntary. Any group debriefings should be withpeople 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
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
Tel: 301-295-2470 | Fax: 301-319-6965
www.CSTSonline.org