Preparing the Body for Cremation—What Do Morticians Do?

No one is ever fully prepared for the loss of a loved one. It can leave family members feeling overwhelmed, lost, and full of despair. Morticians are experienced, compassionate individuals who are there to help guide the family through this difficult time and help make the process seem less daunting.

Here are some of the basic duties of a mortician:

• Retrieve the body from either the hospital or home and transport it to the mortuary.
• Counsel the family by providing support and assistance with regard to the deceased and possible funeral arrangements.
• Handle the paperwork, like obtaining a death certificate.
• Make the necessary funeral arrangements (if required), such as arranging a hearse, flowers, venue, programs, and music—always following the family's wishes.
• Prepares the body for cremation.
• Transports the body to the funeral service.
• Is on hand during the ceremony, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and assists with cleaning up afterward.

The Cremation Process

Leading up to the cremation, the mortician will usually follow these steps after taking the body into their care:

• Begin by cleaning and dressing them in either a simple gown or into their own clothes—some families may wish for the deceased to be embalmed if there is going to be a viewing, in which case this will be performed.
• All jewelry, medical items, and artificial limbs will be removed and returned to the family.
• The body will then either be taken to the funeral service or be held in a temperature-controlled room and await cremation.
• If the family has specific religious requirements, then the body may be prepared differently.

The entire preparation process can take an hour or two, and it is vital that the body is prepared properly.

Does Cremation Occur Immediately After Service?

The length of downtime before the cremation after the service has ended depends on the family of the deceased. Each cremation is individual and is allowed to unfold at its own pace in order to provide the family with the time and respect they need. Cremation will typically happen on the same day as the service, but it can also occur up to 48 hours later if the family wishes. In this case, the coffin will be stored in a refrigerated holding room.