Is it normal for a mother cat to carry around a dead kitten?

A stray cat that I feed apparently had kittens very recently. Today when we were outside she showed up and she was carrying a kitten. She put it down on our front steps and meowed as if she was very distressed. She kept picking the kitten back up and pacing and then setting it back down. Is this normal? I don't know if there are other kittens because I don't know where her nest is.

Oh my, that is sad. Not much you can do unless you can watch her to see if she goes to her nest. Good luck.

Could you fix her a cardboard box with some old towels and put it near where you feed her ? Maybe she'll settle her kittens in there.... You have been feeding her, now she is coming to you for some help with her family.... good luck ! I hope it works out.

I presume she hoped to get some extra help from you.  Because othewise, if they are sure the dead kitten is dead, they either carry it away it and hide, or they eat it up, so they wont get predators on the living kittens.

Are you willing to help her more now, as Docs Mom suggests?

You could try and do something alike she suggests.  You could even, talking a lot sweetly and friendly try and follow the cat mom back to her nest.   With a little luck she may led you to the nest.   If so, have a carrier with you, scoop up the whole litter.  Mom will follow after them and you.  And you go back to your prepared room,  (or big dog cage).  Where you of course had prepared everything beforehand - or at least, everything planned  know where you fetch gears...

Mom who is used to you as food giver and a friendly person, should settle in, and will cooperate as long she is sure this is the best practical chance for her children.

It may work with a little luck and some planning.

Good luck!

Also possible she is still pregnant and this is only one delivered. or she only had one in first place. I agree normally a dead kitten is left somewhere or eaten and this in not usual behavior.  If she is quite young that could explain it.  Keep an eye on her behavior and start looking into getting a trap or options to TNR her if if she shows no signs of others or infection.