Several natural processes occur after someone dies. These often begin slowly but can accelerate quickly after a few hours. The speed of these changes depends on many factors including the cause of death, place of death, atmospheric conditions, medications and the condition of the person prior to passing. This can have health and safety implications and most importantly effect the dignity of the deceased.
We’ll need to have a conversation about how best to uphold the dignity of the person and the safety of those around them.
Consideration needs to be given to:
• Your religious, cultural and personal beliefs
• When the burial or cremation will be held
• How much time family and friends would like to spend with the deceased (referred to as viewing)
This involves bringing the person into our care, washing, dressing and placing them into the chosen casket.
A good option if the burial or cremation is taking placing within 24 hours and no viewing is planned.
Our staff provide Mortuary and Essential care with the addition of basic cosmetics, hair styling and closing the eyes and mouth. We use a refrigerator to slow down the natural decomposition process.
This enables the person to be viewed with dignity, but normally only for a maximum of 48 hours.
This option uses natural products like oils and / or special salts to cleanse and sanitise the body. Using an arterial wash without preservative, it slows the natural deterioration.
This process will allow a time frame of 48 -72 hours depending on the circumstances.
This includes Dignity Care with the addition of arterial embalming. We use the absolute minimum amount of chemical required to achieve short term preservation. This also sanitises the body and improves the overal presentation.
This is our preferred form of care due to the dignity restored to the person. It allows more time until the funeral and flexibility around viewing. For example, the person could be taken home for a few days prior to the service.
This option is offered under certain circumstances such as following a Post Mortem, an accident, or if we need to care for somebody over an extended period. Restorative techniques and resources are used to achieve the required outcome.