Many families don’t realise that when someone dies at home, there is no rush to have them collected by a funeral director, and you can keep a deceased person at home with you for a longer period of time should you wish. For many bereaved families, this additional time at home with a loved one can help them come to terms with a death in a soothing and meaningful way.
How long can someone who has died stay at home?
There isn’t a set time period for keeping a deceased person at home, and no law that dictates when a person should be collected. We find that for most families, spending a few additional hours with a loved one after their death can provide enough time to say goodbye. Plus, it usually allows anyone who may not have been present at the death the opportunity to visit.
Why choose to care for someone at home after their death?
Nothing compares to the comfort of being in your own home. The familiar surroundings, coupled with no time limits, give families additional time and space to grieve their loss and may feel more soothing than visiting a loved one in a funeral home.
Keeping a person at home is traditional in some cultures and religions, but it may also be down to preference. Sometimes a family wants to gather together to mourn at home, other times a person wants to spend time alone with their loved one before letting them go. The reasons to care for someone at home are unique to each family.
How to care for someone who has died at home?
It’s normal to worry about how long you have with a person before physical changes start to occur, but as long as a person is kept cool, you can keep them with you longer than you might expect. There are a few things we would recommend:
- Turn off central heating in the room
- Close curtains to block direct sunlight
- Keep windows closed
- Turn air conditioning on, if you have it
- Keep your loved one cool and dry
• Cover them overnight with a light sheet
Can I wash or dress someone who has died?
Gently washing or dressing someone who has died can feel like a very meaningful experience, particularly if the person died in their pyjamas or clothes they wouldn’t typically wear. Brushing or styling their hair, placing jewellery on them or doing their makeup may also feel important, particularly if it helps them look more like themselves.
What to do when you are ready for a loved one to be collected?
While there is no obligation to let your funeral director know you are keeping a loved one at home, it can be helpful. Your funeral arranger will be able to offer support and guidance, answer any questions and provide reassurance throughout the process.
When you are ready, your chosen funeral director will collect the deceased in a calm and dignified way, transporting them back to their mortuary where they will stay until the day of the funeral.
Most funeral directors have their own Chapel of Rest and can arrange additional visits for families if they wish. At Dillamore, our recently refurbished Chapel of Rest is available to every family, and provides a very comfortable setting to spend time with a loved one prior to the funeral.
If you are recently bereaved or want to find out more about the services we offer, get in contact with us today. You can call us on 01525 372210, email us via our contact form, or book an appointment using our booking tool. We are here to support you in your time of need.
