Labelling and Identification of Human Remains in Body Bags

Misidentification is one of the most distressing errors in death care. Families may bury the wrong person, and the consequences can be legal as well as emotional. Body bags play a supporting role in preventing this.

The principle: double identification

Identification should be attached to the deceased (for example a wrist or toe tag) and to the outside of the bag. If the bag is opened, replaced or damaged, the person is still identified.

What to record

• Full name (or “unknown” with a unique reference number)
• Unique case or register number
• Date and time of death or recovery
• Place of death or recovery
• Name of the person who completed the label
• Any infection-risk alert required by your protocol

Bag features that help

• Clear plastic ID pockets at head and foot ends
• Writable panels that accept permanent marker
• Waterproof, cold-resistant labels and tags
• Numbered tamper-evident seals linked to the register
• Transparent or windowed bags for visual identification without opening

Common failure points

• Paper labels that smudge or detach in refrigeration
• Handwritten numbers that are hard to read
• Transfers between facilities without a handover check
• Replacing a damaged bag without transferring labels and recording the change

Good practice at each handover

At every handover – ward to mortuary, mortuary to undertaker, undertaker to cemetery – two people should check the name and number on the deceased, the bag and the documentation, and sign the register.

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Educational resource only. This article does not replace facility protocols, infection-prevention policies, official forensic procedures, manufacturer instructions or legal advice. Always verify product suitability against the applicable protocol and supplier test evidence. Last reviewed: October 2026.