Immediate Care of the Body
If the deceased has made provisions to donate his or her organs, this must be done immediately—before any procedures are carried out on the body. If the entire body has been donated to medical research, it must go to the specified medical center immediately. Learn more at Life Advice: Being an Organ Donor.
If the body has not been donated, you will need to decide whether to embalm the body. Embalming is a chemical process that preserves bodies for a short period of time. It is usually done if the family needs time to make funeral arrangements and to travel, if the body has to be transported or if the casket is open for viewing. You do not have to approve this procedure, however, unless your state requires it. In fact, some religions prohibit embalming.
Final Care of the Body
Depending upon the wishes and religious beliefs of the deceased, your options include burial, cremation or entombment in a mausoleum. Cremation is usually the least expensive. The wishes and religious beliefs of the deceased will, of course, be the first consideration. Unless the deceased has prearranged these details, you will need to consider a few things.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Should the casket be open or closed?
- Do you have appropriate clothing for your loved one to be buried in?
- Should you have a formal service or a graveside service?
- Who will conduct the service—a religious leader, a friend or the funeral home?
- Who will speak at the service?
- Are pallbearers required?
- Will you need the services of a driver or limousine?
- Do you prefer flowers or charitable donations as a way to honor the deceased?
- Who will write the obituary? Which paper(s) should it be sent to? What are the costs?
- Do you want to arrange for family and close friends to gather after the service or burial to reflect and reminisce?
