Steps for Preparing the Body for Services

After a loved one has passed away and individuals start contacting funeral homes in Charleston, IL, several steps will go into the process, including planning the details for the event. Before all of this takes place, however, some essential tasks have to be completed to prepare the individual for the services in this article will highlight these steps.

Preparing the Individual for the Event

In most areas, if no burial or cremation is scheduled between 24 and 48 hours, the deceased will have to be preserved. One part of this process is embalming, and this starts with any clothing being removed, including medical devices, and then the body is washed.

The process can only be done by someone licensed for it, and the first step is to replace any blood in the body with the embalming fluid. Then replace any fluids in the organs because this will help reduce the amount of decay and the possibility of fluids leaking during the ceremony.

If there is an autopsy that needs to take place, the embalming may not be required, and the pathologist will remove the internal organs. In some cases, they may be returned to the body, but they will be stored until it’s time for them to be returned.

Keep in mind that some religions and cultures prohibit embalming, and if you are planning on having a direct cremation or burial, it may not need to be embalmed.

Refrigeration

This is another step that can help preserve the body for a longer period, and it will be stored at temperatures below 40 degrees to help delay any decomposition. Refrigeration can be an option when there is no form of viewing of the body, and in some cases, some states may even require refrigeration with cremation.

Appearance

After the embalming is completed and the individual needs to be prepped for the services cosmetologist will apply moisturizer to the hands, lips, and face, and makeup will be used to help cover any blemishes. They may involve some powder to help keep the body dry, and upon request, the fingernails will be painted.

Cosmetologists will then do their hair to create a look similar to what they had in life; their hair may be washed and styled or simply brushed depending on the families’ requests. The last step is to dress the deceased and clothing that has been selected by the family, and at that point, they are placed into the casket for the funeral services.

Keeping Our Community at the Heart of the Matter

These steps are a small part of the process of preparing the deceased, and the details will vary depending on the family’s needs. If you have recently suffered a loss and are reaching out to funeral homes in Charleston, IL, we would love to help you through the process. We are locally owned and operated and have been serving our community since 1934 with exceptional and caring services, so if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us today.