Home-based death care usually goes hand in hand with family-led funeral care, because as a general thought process one flows naturally into the other. However today we are going to separate the two for a more in-depth look at the more practical requirements for caring for a body at home.
Assuming the death was legal and not reportable to the Coroner, and the formal legalities of obtaining a Declaration of Life Extinct (DoLE) or Medical Cause of Death (MCoD) form have been completed, then care can begin.
It is also worth noting that a body should not be moved until this process has taken place, unless it poses a risk to others, but may be moved to maintain the safety and dignity of the deceased.
Laying out the body, or Last Offices
I first heard the term Last Offices from an Army friend and mortuary mentor, and assumed that it was something to do with the military… Silly me… because then I heard old school nurses using the same term… Last Offices in fact is from the Latin ‘officium’ meaning service or duty… Therefore Last Offices is actually the last act of service we can offer our dead. That’s lovely don’t you think?
The body should be laying as flat and straight as possible as once Rigor Mortis, or the stiffening of the limbs and extremities, begins a few hours after death, it will be very difficult to do.
Eyes should be closed, which can be simply done by gently massaging up the bottom lid and then pulling down the top lid to overlap the bottom one. You can also use a tiny piece of moistened tissue placed on the eye to assist, acting like a bit of a grip.
The mouth should be swabbed clean as best as possible using anti-bacterial mouth wash or essential oils. Teeth should also be cleaned and dentures inserted if required. Push the lower jaw up to close the mouth then roll a towel and place it under the chin to keep the mouth in a closed position. You can also use a cervical collar or head strap.
Additional care: On some occasions cotton wool can be used to pack orifices to eliminate fluids from leaking out, however in many cases this is not generally required.
Body care: A person would have been washed or showered sometime in the days prior to death and does not need a thorough cleansing unless unfolding circumstances dictate this. However sometimes it is nice to spend time giving a gentle sponge bath, as it were, using favourite oils and smells and a final touch of lasting care and honour.
It is also important to clean and dress wounds which are already present to slow down bacterial decomposition.
Dressing can be done or not and really is a personal preference at this time.
Cooling the body
Literally every body is different and cooling the body does not stop the body breaking down, but can slow the process giving the gift of time to others. It is good to have a designated carer to oversee this process on an ongoing basis especially if you are planning to keep your beloved with you for a day or more.
As much as we want our beloved to be warm and snuggled down like a newborn, this is the other end of life and we need to keep them cool to slow down the body’s natural processes of letting go. A well-ventilated cooler room with a fan is a good place to start.
There are then several products that can now be used to support and assist with this process. A cooling blanket, or a cooling plate, are available through some funeral providers. However, there is a great Australian product called Techni Ice which we use regularly. A few sheets under the back kidney area and on stomach area is of great benefit in slowing things down. It can be rotated from freezer to body on a regular 6–8 hour, rinse-dry-freeze-repeat basis.
If the body is being left unattended for an extended period it is often nice to place a piece of muslin or similar opaque cloth over the body to protect from unwanted visitors.
The final journey
Often once home care has finished and our person needs to undertake their final journey, you will need to arrange for their body to be transported to the crematorium or place of burial, in an approved vehicle under the Burial and Cremation Act 2019 and regulations 2025. As with everything these days, paperwork rules the world, with forms and legal certificates required for the crematorium, cemetery manager or government agencies such as Births, Deaths and Marriages.
General notes
In Tasmania, after death care is governed by the Burial and Cremation Act 2019 and Burial and Cremation Regulations 2025.
There are a variety of essential oils which not only smell lovely but also have astringent anti-microbial properties which can be used for cleaning and preparing bodies, such as clove oil, or Australian tea tree and lemon myrtle oil. Ancient Frankincense and Myrrh oils are also a lovely alternative.
While you are capable and willing to undertake this journey with the deceased, it is always nice to have someone standing behind you to support and assist as little or as much required. This time should be one of deep quiet, honouring and reflection which acknowledges the new yet differing journey that the deceased and you are now embarking on.
Mary Eleanor has a team of experienced death care professionals and End of Life Doulas ready to be of service to you any time of the day or night. Please do not hesitate to reach out for more information. We believe that the more knowledge you have, the more empowered you will be to make the best choices and decisions for you and your family when the time comes.
Need support?
Feel free to call Mimi or Sandra on 0458 002 151.
Or email [email protected]