When Death Occurs | Preston Charles Funeral Home | Lockland OH funeral home and cremation, Middletown OH funeral home and cremation (2024)

The overwhelming feelings of despair, disbelief, shock, and numbness caused by the passing of a loved one cannot be conveyed by mere words. Even when the death is expected, the pain that loss brings can still be devastating. In truth, no one is completely prepared for the death of someone close to their heart.

During this difficult time, there are decisions to be made immediately, arrangements to be coordinated, and a lot of things to be considered for your loved one’s final farewell. We understand how this may feel overwhelming, especially with the grief you’re feeling over the loss. Please know that we are here to help and support you.

On this page, we’ve put together helpful information to guide you through this process.

When Death Occurs | Preston Charles Funeral Home | Lockland OH funeral home and cremation, Middletown OH funeral home and cremation (2024)

FAQs

What happens to a body once it gets to the funeral home? ›

Once a funeral home has picked up the body and brought it to their facility, they will then clean and dress and/or shroud the body. Afterward, the body will be placed in refrigeration to keep it cool until the day of burial, at which point the body will be transported to the burial site.

How long can a body stay in the morgue before a funeral? ›

In the absence of embalming within 24 hours, it is not advised to embalm the body immediately. A morgue can preserve a body for one week at most. About a week passes before embalmed bodies decompose. About a week passes before embalmed bodies decompose.

Why do you have to wait 3 days before cremation? ›

Why do you have to wait 3 days to cremate a body? In the United States, the law requires that a body must be held for three days before it can be cremated. This waiting period gives family and friends time to plan a funeral or memorial service.

What is the 7 days after death return? ›

The Return of the Dead

The Chinese believe the soul of the deceased returns to his or her home seven days after death. To ensure the soul finds its way, a red plaque bearing an inscription is placed outside the home.

Which part of the body does not burn during cremation? ›

During cremation, the body parts that do burn consist of organs, soft tissue, hair, and skin, while the water in our bodies evaporates. The body parts that do not burn are bone fragments. Teeth usually burn during cremation, but not entirely.

Do they drain your blood before cremation? ›

Is a body drained before cremation? Draining a body of fluids does not happen before cremation. If a body is embalmed before cremation, the bodily fluids are exchanged (drained, and then replaced) with chemicals during the embalming process. These chemicals are also fluid.

How long does a body stay whole in a casket? ›

However, on average, a body buried within a typical coffin usually starts to break down within a year, but takes up to a decade to fully decompose, leaving only the skeleton, Daniel Wescott, director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University, told Live Science.

How long after death does the body release fluids? ›

There are four general stages of putrefaction: Putrefaction (4-10 days after death) – Autolysis occurs and gases (odor) and discoloration starts. Black putrefaction (10-20 days after death) – exposed skin turns black, bloating collapses and fluids are released from the body.

How long can you keep a body at home after death? ›

It's become common practice for a funeral director to collect someone from home shortly after they die. But, in most cases, if it's an expected death, you're completely free to care for someone at home. You could do this for hours, days or even a week or more if that feels right.

What is the final goodbye before cremation? ›

Cremation without a funeral

The closest loved ones of the deceased can gather privately for an intimate goodbye and support one another through grief. Arranging to see the deceased before cremation helps with processing the loss and beginning the healing process.

Why do you have to shower after cremation? ›

Bathing, a common practice after cremation, helps maintain cleanliness and hygiene, as scavengers near cremation grounds carry bacteria from feasting on animal and bird carcasses. Bathing also serves as a way to normalize routine and cope with grief after cremation.

What happens to teeth during cremation? ›

Here are the answers to some of the most common weird cremation questions. Do teeth burn during cremation? Teeth usually burn up during the cremation process. Tooth fragments that are not burnt up will be ground during the ash processing.

Does a person know when they are dying? ›

A conscious dying person can know if they are on the verge of dying. Some feel immense pain for hours before dying, while others die in seconds. This awareness of approaching death is most pronounced in people with terminal conditions such as cancer.

What is the first organ to shut down before death? ›

The first organ system to “close down” is the digestive system. Digestion is a lot of work! In the last few weeks, there is really no need to process food to build new cells. That energy needs to go elsewhere.

Do funeral homes remove organs before burial? ›

NO. Embalming doesn't remove any organ in the body. Instead, the embalmer replaces the blood with embalming fluid – formaldehyde-based chemicals – through the arteries. For this reason, an embalmed body placed in a casket can last for many years.

What happens when a body goes to the mortuary? ›

After a death

The body will then be laid out and kept in the hospital mortuary until you arrange for the funeral directors, family or whoever you chose to collect it. If you choose, funeral directors will take the body to their chapel of rest until the funeral takes place.

How long after a funeral does the body decompose? ›

However, on average, a body buried within a typical coffin usually starts to break down within a year, but takes up to a decade to fully decompose, leaving only the skeleton, Daniel Wescott, director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University, told Live Science.

What does a body look like after being in the morgue for 3 weeks? ›

After two weeks, the body starts to bloat and change its color to red after the blood present in the body starts to decompose. Once the corpse surpasses the fourth week, you can witness liquefaction in the rest of the remains. The teeth and nails also begin to fall during this time frame.

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