Home Funeral Natural Death Care

The process of decomposition begins immediately after someone dies. And while there is no way to prevent it, it’s possible to slow it down by keeping the body cool. Some ways to accomplish this include:

• Open a window or turn on the air-conditioner: If it’s cold outside, opening a window to lower the ambient temperature in the room is one simple way to slow decomposition, especially if the relative humidity is low. Decomposition happens fastest in warm, humid environments and slows down when it’s cold and dry. 
• Use Techni Ice dry-ice sheets to cool the body: Made from a water-activated polymer, Techni Ice sheets can be cut to size to fit over or under the torso to keep the body cool. Once activated, the polymer expands and stays cold for up to four days. To cool the body as quickly as possible, put one activated sheet below the small of the person’s back and another over the abdomen. Once cooling is accomplished, the sheet on top can be removed. 
• Use dry ice: Dry ice is another reliable way to keep a body cool since it is solid carbon dioxide frozen to -109 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, it is not as stable as polymer packs and will begin to evaporate quickly. It’s also harder to avoid freezing the skin when dry ice is used. A window must also be kept open in the room, since off-gassing of carbon dioxide can be harmful to those in attendance. 

If you choose to use dry ice, place a 3-4 inch foam pad under the body, then put the blocks of dry ice under the foam. You can further preserve the ice and protect the body from freezing by wrapping the ice in paper bags and then wrapping it in several towels. 

Keep in mind, too, that it is easier to slow decomposition if a body has been kept cool from the time of death, so make sure to make preparations in advance. Techni Ice is available at big-box stores or online from Amazon.com, so purchase as much as you think you will need ahead of time. Dry ice may be difficult to find in some locations, so investigate your options before you decide to go that route. You will need to buy it shortly before or immediately after death occurs. 

Important note: The amount of time a body can be preserved by cooling is not set in stone. Numerous factors determine how long the process of decomposition will take. As a general rule, you should plan to keep the body at home for no more than a few days, although it’s possible to do so for up to a week. If you’re unsure or need further guidance on laws in your state, you may wish to hire a home funeral guide[link to question: what is a home funeral guide?] to guide your decisions and help you come up with the most appropriate plan.

Sources

“Dry Ice Packs”. TechniIce. https://techniiceusa.com/ice-packs.html 

Although each situation is somewhat different, as a general rule you will need to complete the following steps to care for your loved one’s body in your home. Please take a moment to review them before you begin. 

Step 1. Purchase dry ice or cooling gel packs

This step is best completed immediately after or shortly before your loved one dies. It may be omitted if the outdoor temperature is cool enough that you can open a window in the room where your loved one will be kept. (Ideally 40 degrees or below). In some cases, you may also be able to turn on a window air conditioner to keep the ambient temperature at about 40 degrees. 

If neither of these conditions are met, you will need dry ice, available for purchase at many grocery stores for around $2.99 per pound, Techni Ice, and/or frozen gel packs. Specialty vendors such as ice cream stores, commercial ice vendors, and some liquor stores may also have dry ice for sale. You will need an ice chest or sturdy styrofoam container to hold the dry ice, as well as leather gloves or insulated gloves for handling since it will burn exposed skin. Latex or nitrile gloves will not be thick enough to protect your skin and should not be used. 

Clear a space to store the ice, but do not set the container directly on the floor, as it may damage floorboards, tile, or linoleum. It is important to be mindful that dry ice releases carbon dioxide as it evaporates, so it should only be used in a well ventilated area with open windows or fans to maximize air flow.

For an average-sized body, you will need about 30 pounds of dry ice to start with, and about 10-20 pounds a day after that. Wrap the pieces in cloth or plastic sheeting. You will need to replenish your supply daily as the dry ice evaporates. If you are choosing to use frozen gel packs, be aware that the efficacy of this method depends on where you live and the intensity of the climate. In warmer climates or during the summer, frozen gel packs may not remain cold enough to maintain the body at the temperature of 40 F for an extended period of time.

Step 2. Prepare your workspace

As a general rule, it is easiest to care for your loved one’s body in the room where death occurred. Remove all medical equipment and unnecessary furniture or appliances in order to give yourself as much space as possible. Make sure you have all of your supplies ready. Place plastic sheeting underneath the body to protect the mattress and furnishings. You can do this by asking several people to help you roll the body onto its side while you lay down the sheeting next to it. Roll the body over onto the sheeting, now resting on its other side. Spread the sheeting out completely, and then lay the body back down, face up.

Step 3. Prepare the body 

Remove the person’s clothing, cutting it away from the body if necessary. Place a towel or sheet over the body to maintain a sense of dignity. Place a folded towel, adult diaper, or absorbent pad under the buttocks, then gently press the pubic area to expel any urine that is still in the bladder onto the sheet and discard it. 

Step 4: Clean the mouth and eyes (optional)

You may use disinfecting mouthwash or mouth swabs to clean the mouth and teeth and to dry out the mouth. Close the mouth by tying a scarf wrapped from under the chin to the top of the head, and gently close the eyes. If they will not remain closed, place a bag of rice or beans, or other soft weight over them. If you plan to donate your loved one’s corneas, moisten a gauze pad with saline and place it over the eyes before this step. 

These steps should be completed before rigor mortis occurs, which is around 2 hours after death. You can remove the scarf and weights from the eyes, but please note that this may need to be done anywhere between 1 to 4 hours, depending on your loved one’s mouth. 

Step 5. Wash the body 

In preparation to wash your loved one’s body, fill two large bowls with warm water; one bowl will be used for washing and the other bowl will be used for rinsing the body. If you like, you can include a few drops of your loved one’s favorite fragrance, rose petals, or essential oils in the water. If you are concerned about the cleaning surface, place a plastic sheet under the body until washing is complete.

• Begin with the face and neck area, using short, gentle strokes (do not scrub, as skin may tear). Then gently pat the skin dry.
• Wash the hair using dry shampoo. If you prefer to use regular shampoo, let the person’s head hang over the edge of the bed or table while supporting the neck. Have another person hold a basin underneath the head while you shampoo and rinse the hair.
• Wash the arms, hands, and nails, then pat dry.
• Wash the upper body, front, and then roll the body onto its side to wash the buttocks and genital area. Remember to pat dry afterwards. 
• Wash the legs and feet, and pat dry.
• Once washing is complete, you can dress the body. It is recommended to include an adult diaper when dressing your loved one, as this will catch any residual fluids that may leak from the body over time.

Step 6. Dress and prepare the body for visitation

If you are holding a visitation, prepare the body by dressing it in the way you think your loved one would have wished to be dressed. Pants are relatively easy to put on. A shirt or dress can be cut up the back, slipped over the arms, and then tucked under the body. You may need to ask several people to help you complete this step. Don’t omit jewelry, perfume or other items your loved one liked to wear. 

Step 7. Prepare the visitation room

If you plan to lay the body out in a casket, make sure that you have it prepared so that you can easily place the body inside. If you will place the body on a table or other piece of furniture, you should lay out whatever linens you plan to have underneath it. A bed, table, massage table or casket are all ideal for a visitation.

Step 8. Move the body

It usually takes at least four to six people to move a body. The easiest way to do so is to use the sheet or bedding your loved one is lying on after removing the plastic sheeting used to protect the bed. Roll the sheet up until it is next to the body, forming a sort of “handle” to grab hold of. Space yourselves at equal distances to best distribute the weight; count to three, and lift all at once. Move sideways to clear the bed. It may be helpful to count your steps out loud in order to stay in unison. 

Another method of moving a body is to use a wooden board or box. If you choose this option, it’s a good idea to conduct a trial run with your helpers in order to locate places where maneuvering may be difficult. 

When you have reached the visitation site, lay the body down with the sheet still beneath it, or gently lift the box or board into place. 

Step 9. Cool the body with dry ice or frozen gel packs

Once your loved one’s body is laid out and dressed, you can cool it with dry ice or frozen gel packs to slow the natural degradation process. If you are using dry ice, wrap your 1-inch thick sheets in cloth, muslin, or plastic wrap before placing them alongside the body. Since dry ice emits carbon dioxide while it evaporates, it can cause “ice burns” on exposed skin. Place one bundle of dry ice or frozen gel packs beside each shoulder blade, the lower back, and each hip. The goal is to keep the internal organs cool, which is why the torso and lower abdomen are the most important areas to focus on. In most instances, dry ice should be used to cool the body since frozen gel packs will not adequately maintain a cool body temperature in warmer climates.

Use cloth scarves or pillows to hide the cooling materials from view during the visitation. Remember to monitor the dry ice or gel packs and replace them when necessary. Dry ice generally needs to be changed every 24 hours, and you will need to purchase it daily. Keep a washcloth and towel close at hand, and take care when repositioning the body to replace the dry ice. While rare, it is important to note that bodily fluids may escape from the mouth or nose.

Step 10. Decorate the visitation space

Prepare your home or chosen location for the visitation in a way that your loved one would have chosen themselves. Remove any medical equipment or cleaning supplies to an out-of-the-way place. Then adorn your space with flowers, Christmas lights, candles (or torches if outdoors) as you see fit. You may wish to play music while the viewing takes place, or you can set up chairs and a podium from which guests can speak. Scent can also play an important role: a diffuser or incense may add to the ambiance you are trying to create. This is your time to celebrate your loved one and your love for them, so personalize the space in any way you wish.