- Lay the body supine and straighten their limbs (unless this is not possible).
- Remove any clothing from the body and pack personal possessions.
- Clean the body. Pay particular attention to the face and hands.
- Body bag (optional): During the cleaning process, I like to log roll the deceased and place an opened body bag under them.
- Close the eyes. Sometimes the deceased eyes may be open or partially open.
- Clean the mouth.
- Try to make the patients hair tidy and in their preferred style.
- Dress in a clean gown.
- Position the body.
- Prepare the environment.
- After initially bringing the family to the deceased and spending some time settling them into this experience, it may be useful to withdraw to the background.
