Can you view a body after a postmortem?
Some organs need to be examined in close detail during a post-mortem. These investigations can take several weeks to complete. The pathologist will return the organs to the body after the post-mortem has been completed. If you wish, you’ll usually be able to view the body after the examination.
How long can they keep a body in the morgue?
A body presents little threat to public health in the first day following the death. However, after 24 hours the body will need some level of embalming. A mortuary will be able to preserve the body for approximately a week. Regardless of the embalming, decomposition will begin after one week.
Should you view the body of a loved one at funeral?
While many people consider it normal and proper to view the body of a loved one at a funeral, others may consider this in poor taste or frightening. It’s normal to feel unsure. People who have never seen a body before are typically nervous about deciding to view a loved one’s body, and understandably so.
Do bereaved families regret not seeing the bodies of bereaved relatives?
In a study conducted two years after the Australian Granville train disaster, 36 of 44 bereaved had not seen the body of their relative or friend. 15 Twenty two of those who had decided not to view the body of their relative or friend had subsequently regretted their decision. Eight people had viewed the body, and only one reported having regrets.
Should relatives be allowed to view the body of a dead person?
Seeing the body brought home the reality of death; it could be shocking or distressing, but, in this sample, few who did so said they regretted it. Conclusions Even after a traumatic death, relatives should have the opportunity to view the body, and time to decide which family member, if any, should identify remains.
Why do we have to view the body after a death?
Some psychiatrists, such as Worden,11 argue that viewing the body helps to bring home the reality of loss, and that viewing helps in the grieving process, because bonds with the deceased need to be severed so that the survivor can make new attachments.