A Nebraska funeral home recently experienced a startling incident when a 74-year-old hospice patient, who had been declared dead by her nursing home two hours earlier, was discovered to still be alive. The woman was in hospice care at The Mulberry nursing home in Waverly, Nebraska, before being pronounced dead on Monday morning. However, workers at Butherus Maser & Love Funeral Home noticed signs of life when they laid her on the embalming table just before noon.
Realizing the woman was still breathing, the funeral home workers immediately began CPR and rushed her to a hospital in Lincoln. Unfortunately, she passed away later that same day. This incident raises questions about the procedures followed in such cases and the need for clearer protocols.
While it remains unclear how frequently such occurrences happen, at least two similar incidents have been reported in the past 18 months, one in New York and another in Iowa. In both cases, individuals were mistakenly declared dead prematurely.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. Chief Deputy Ben Houchin mentioned that there is no initial evidence suggesting any laws were violated. It is common practice for nursing homes not to involve law enforcement when a person in hospice care passes away.
The woman had seen her doctor shortly before the incident, and her doctor was prepared to sign her death certificate as her passing was expected. However, the oversight led to the woman being found alive after being declared dead.
Authorities are urging the nursing home and other relevant parties to review their protocols and ensure that proper procedures are followed in such situations. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough assessments and communication in end-of-life care.
