The First Goodbye

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If your circumstances allow you to take the time to say goodbye before the body is moved or taken away, you do not need to rush. There are no laws about the time in which you need to notify doctors, police or a funeral director. Take a moment at the time of death to say goodbye and invite other family or friends to do the same if they want.

Should you want to spend more than a couple of hours with the person who has died, it is advisable to slow down decomposition by turning on the air-conditioner and using cooling techniques on the body. During this time, decide if you want to engage a funeral director to assist, or if you will have a DIY funeral. If you need a funeral director, now is the time to ring around and get an idea of what services and costs each one offers.

Only when you are ready do you need to take the next step – to call a doctor, police or a funeral director.

Categories: Culture & tradition, De-mystifying, Funerals, Transporting the body

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