Caring for the human body after death

When a person dies, there are a number of considerations to be made – from notifying friends and extended family about the death, choosing and contacting a funeral service provider, and of course trying to cope with the death yourself.

Historically, many of the tasks relating to the care of the body were left to families, however nowadays it is typically left in the hands of the funeral director selected by the family. Where and how a person dies tends to dictate what happens immediately following the death. Typically, the regular doctor of the deceased will complete what is known as a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

However, if somebody dies suddenly with no known medical conditions, or in a suspicious manner, they will be sent to the coroner to determine the cause of death. The MCCD or Coroner’s paperwork is required before the body can be transferred into the care of a funeral director. If the body is to be cremated, an additional certificate will need to be completed by the doctor or coroner.

Obtaining a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

If your loved one died in a hospital or nursing home, staff will usually arrange for a doctor to issue and sign the certificate.
But if someone dies at home, you’ll either need to:
• call 000 if it’s an unexpected event, or you are unsure if they are dead or unconscious; or,
• call the regular GP or doctor who has been caring for the deceased to visit as soon as possible.

In the event there is no regular GP, or the GP is unavailable, a call should be made to 000 asking for them to attend. If emergency services attend and there is no regular doctor for them to contact, or the regular GP is not sure of the cause of death, the case will be referred to the coroner.

What happens when the cause of death is unknown?

In some circumstances, where the cause of death is unknown, scans such as an MRI, various medical tests and/or an autopsy may need to be performed to determine the cause of death. A hospital may want to perform an autopsy in-house to verify the cause of death of a patient if there is some uncertainty, however these non-coronial autopsies can only be conducted if the immediate family give their consent.

If the hospital is not satisfied with the cause of death, then they may refer the case to the coroner. If the death was unexpected, the result of an accident and/or suspicious, the matter will be referred to the coroner who may choose to perform an autopsy or other tests to determine the cause of death. If the coroner is involved, then it’s best to get in contact with your preferred funeral director at this stage. The funeral director will work with you through this process and liaise with the coroner until the body is released into their care.

Transportation of the body after death

Once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been issued, or the body has been taken to the coroner, the next step is to contact a funeral provider who will then arrange to either transfer the body into their care or contact the coroner. The location of the death will determine how the body is prepared for transfer to the funeral home.

If the death occurs in a hospital or palliative setting, health professionals will guide the family through the process until plans have been made with the chosen funeral home. The body will be moved off ward to the hospitals mortuary where it will be refrigerated until the funeral director can attend.

On the other hand, when a person dies at home, the funeral director will provide guidance and arrange for the body to be transferred. You may wish to place a rolled-up towel under the lower jaw to keep the mouth closed and turn on the air conditioner until a transfer team arrives. The body will need to be placed into a body bag in order to be transferred, this will either be completed by the hospital or nursing home, or by the funeral director when they attend. Once the body is brought back to the mortuary of the funeral home it will be placed in refrigeration to slow the rate of decomposition.

Caring for the body after death

Although washing the deceased’s body is more momentous in some cultures or religions, it is generally seen as an act of respect and care for the dead. Some families may wish to participate in the washing and dressing of their loved one, however typically this is performed by the mortician or embalmer without the family present.

Generally warm water and special cleansers are used to gently clean and sanitise all surfaces of the body. The nose, throat, and natural openings will be covered with cotton wool to prevent bodily fluid from seeping. In the case of cremation, if the deceased has a pacemaker, implantable defibrillator, or other battery powered device, it will need to be removed at this stage.

How is a body embalmed?

In most cases, there is no legal requirement to undertake embalming, and the family has the final say on this matter. However, the funeral home may recommend the procedure if there is a public viewing or open casket funeral, a delay in the cremation or burial, or the need to alter the body’s appearance due to trauma or disease.

Embalming is required by law if the body is to be repatriated overseas or buried above ground in a crypt or vault.

The embalming process involves using a machine to pump chemical fluid into the body to replace the blood. It uses the circulatory system as a means to distribute these preservatives around the body. Hands and feet are often massaged to release any remaining stiffness and ensure the chemical reaches the extremities. Embalming fluid also contains various colourants and softeners which help to drive away pallidity and enhance the skin’s appearance.

Preparing the body for viewing

It may sound like a confronting experience, but many families choose to see and spend time with the deceased before the funeral service, in order to feel a sense of closure and acceptance. In addition to the standard mortuary preparations required, the body will be dressed, groomed appropriately and encoffined at the funeral home.

Providing the mortician with a photo will help to ensure they can look as close as possible to their usual selves. Reputable funeral directors and their staff know that modesty is key when it comes to applying makeup and will always strive to make the deceased look appropriate.

When selecting clothing and accessories, it’s best to opt for their favourite attire and colours, with additional beloved possessions, such as jewellery or religious tokens. You may also wish to place a handwritten letter or photo in the coffin with them.

Various levels of facial or bodily reconstruction may also be used in cases of serious illness or injury. This can restore a person’s features so that they are in appropriate condition to be viewed. There are a number of infectious diseases which may make a body unable to be viewed or handled, and others where embalming may be required prior to viewing.

What happens if the body is to be cremated?

Upon being transferred to a cremation facility, the body is burned within the coffin inside an individual chamber which is heated to approximately 800-1000 degrees celsius. Combustible items are not allowed within the coffin as they can cause damage to the cremation chamber and risk the safety of workers. This includes bottles of alcohol, or battery powered devices such as watches, phones, and medical devices.

The extreme temperature inside the chamber will reduce the body to calcified bone fragments which are then processed into sand like particles, known as ashes.

The family are then free to decide what they would like to do with these ashes. They can be divided among family members, placed in beautiful urns or keepsake jewellery, interred in niche walls at a crematorium, or buried. Families may wish to scatter ashes in their garden or with permission by local council in a public place, or even turn the ashes into jewels and fireworks.