Viewing deceased 20 days after death??

londonsurrey

It's not just a matter of covering the cuts.

I'm going to be straight here, so if you don't want to know, or are sqeamish, please don't read on.

When a normal body decomposes, there is the normal bloating. However, if cuts are made, for an operation or a post mortem, it releases all kinds of bacteria into the tissues. This results in a massive speeding up of the decomposition, with very visual results.

The only things I can suggest to try are to enquire with the funeral director if a partial shrouding of features would help, or even a picture of similar decomposition is possible before this gentleman viewing his wife. Maybe if part of a hand was all that was visible, is that a viable alternative?

patchwork_cat

londonsurrey wrote: »

It's not just a matter of covering the cuts.

I'm going to be straight here, so if you don't want to know, or are sqeamish, please don't read on.

When a normal body decomposes, there is the normal bloating. However, if cuts are made, for an operation or a post mortem, it releases all kinds of bacteria into the tissues. This results in a massive speeding up of the decomposition, with very visual results.

The only things I can suggest to try are to enquire with the funeral director if a partial shrouding of features would help, or even a picture of similar decomposition is possible before this gentleman viewing his wife. Maybe if part of a hand was all that was visible, is that a viable alternative?

Is decompostition not delayed or suspended if they are kept in the morgue fridge?

aliasojo

zaksmum wrote: »

From what I understand the wound hasn't been closed. Due to this the lady's own clothes can't be worn, just a cover that will have to be changed hourly. What a terrible shock it'll be for him.

Has this actually been said?

I under the impression that in cases like this a thin plastic suit was put on the body under the clothes (to contain body fluids, reduce smells).

Perhaps not every undertaker does this?

londonsurrey

patchwork_cat wrote: »

Is decompostition not delayed or suspended if they are kept in the morgue fridge?

Yes, it is slowed down. Just not as much as we might wish.

Again, please don't read on if you might be upset or squeamish.

Think about a cut of pork. It freezes pretty well. However, if you put it in the fridge, it would keep for a while, but you wouldn't really like it after 20 days in the fridge. Now think of it if it weren't a washed piece, but mixed in with various bacteria from the skin, mouth and gut, etc, and what it would be like. When you cut into a live or dead body, you wear a mask, not just because of the smell, but to protect yourself from the bacteria released.

shellsuit

Oh what a sad situation

If it's been explained to him what she may look like and he still wants to go, nothing and nobody is going to stop him, is it?

Poor guy, I hope he finds peace in his decision anyway x

pulliptears

I saw my Dad only a few days after he'd died. Mum stayed, I walked out. The person in that room wasn't my Dad. His face seemed droopy and his mouth seemed odd to me. The whole thing just unsettled me and stayed with me to this day.
The thing that stuck with me the most was the overbearing floral smell in the room.

I don't think I'd ever view a body again, I prefer to remember them as a living person.

pimento

zaksmum wrote: »

No, he hasn't been embalmed

Sorry...I meant she.

Has the body been kept in the fridge at the mortuary?

sassyblue

aliasojo wrote: »

Has this actually been said?

I under the impression that in cases like this a thin plastic suit was put on the body under the clothes (to contain body fluids, reduce smells).

Perhaps not every undertaker does this?

But the undertaker would have to put something over the wound to stop the smell and bacteria spreading, if the hospital didn't do it when they released the body? The OP said a 'cover that has to be changed hourly' which l find strange, why would you want to do that when you can cover the wound full stop. Plus bodies are chilled.

Something's not right.

raven83

pulliptears wrote: »

I saw my Dad only a few days after he'd died. Mum stayed, I walked out. The person in that room wasn't my Dad. His face seemed droopy and his mouth seemed odd to me. The whole thing just unsettled me and stayed with me to this day.
The thing that stuck with me the most was the overbearing floral smell in the room.

I don't think I'd ever view a body again, I prefer to remember them as a living person.

I agree, the smell is a mixture of "perfume" and chemicals, when i saw my my mum i swear i could still smell that smell later on in the day and on my clothes, it is putrid.

londonsurrey

raven83 wrote: »

I agree, the smell is a mixture of "perfume" and chemicals, when i saw my my mum i swear i could still smell that smell later on in the day and on my clothes, it is putrid.

If you know anyone in this position, tell them to wash with lemon juice, it will help.