It is a question most people think about but few ask out loud. When someone dies, what actually happens to the body between the moment of death and the day of the funeral? Where does it go? Who handles it? What is done to it? And who decides?
The uncertainty around this process adds to the anxiety families feel after a loss. Not knowing what is happening behind the closed doors of a funeral home can make an already painful experience feel even more disorienting.
This post walks through the entire process in honest, plain language. Not to be clinical or morbid, but because understanding what happens can give families a sense of control and peace during a time when both feel scarce.
The Moment of Death
What happens immediately after a death depends on where it occurs.
Death at a Hospital or Medical Facility
When someone dies in a hospital, the attending physician or a nurse pronounces the death and records the time. The medical staff notifies the family if they are not already present. The body remains in the room for a period of time, usually 30 minutes to a few hours, so family members can spend time with their loved one before the body is moved.
Once the family is ready, the hospital transfers the body to the hospital morgue, where it is stored in a refrigerated unit until the funeral home picks it up. The family or the hospital contacts the funeral home to arrange the transfer.
Death at Home
If someone dies at home, the first call depends on whether the death was expected.
For an expected death under hospice care, the family calls the hospice agency. A hospice nurse comes to the home, confirms the death, and handles the initial documentation. The nurse then contacts the funeral home on the family's behalf, or the family calls the funeral home directly. There is no need to call 911 for an expected hospice death.
For an unexpected death at home, the family should call 911. Paramedics will respond, confirm the death, and contact the county coroner or medical examiner. The coroner's office determines whether an investigation is needed. If the death is determined to be from natural causes and no investigation is required, the body is released to the funeral home. If there are questions about the cause of death, the coroner may order an autopsy before releasing the body.
Death at a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility
The facility's staff pronounces the death and contacts the family. The family then contacts their chosen funeral home, or the facility can help coordinate the transfer. The process is similar to a hospital death, with the body held in the facility's care until the funeral home arrives.
The Transfer to the Funeral Home
Once a funeral home has been contacted, they send a team to pick up the body. This is called the removal or the first call. It typically happens within one to three hours of being notified, though it can be faster depending on the circumstances and the time of day.
The team arrives in a professional vehicle, usually an unmarked van or SUV. They bring a stretcher or a cot and a body cover. The body is carefully placed on the stretcher, covered, and transported to the funeral home.
This process is handled with respect and discretion. If the death occurred at a home or facility where other people are present, the team works quietly to minimize disruption. If family members want to be present during the removal, that is allowed. If they prefer to step away, the team can handle it while they wait in another room.
At the funeral home, the body is brought to the preparation area, which is a private, clinical room where all body care takes place. The body is logged in, identified, and stored in a refrigeration unit until the family makes decisions about the type of service they want.
What Happens Before the Arrangement Meeting
Between the removal and the arrangement meeting, the funeral home takes care of several behind-the-scenes tasks.
Refrigeration
The body is placed in a refrigerated holding area. This slows decomposition and keeps the body in stable condition until the family decides how to proceed. Refrigeration is used whether the family ultimately chooses embalming or not. It is the standard method of care during the interim period.
Initial Paperwork
The funeral director begins the administrative process. This includes collecting information for the death certificate, contacting the attending physician to certify the cause of death, and preparing the forms that will be needed for burial or cremation permits.
In Ohio, a death certificate must be filed before any final disposition can take place. The funeral director coordinates this process on behalf of the family, working with the physician's office, the local registrar, and the county health department.
Coordination with the Coroner (If Applicable)
If the death falls under the jurisdiction of the county coroner, the funeral home waits for the coroner's office to complete its review before proceeding. In Franklin County, the coroner investigates deaths that are sudden, unexplained, violent, or suspicious. This investigation may include an external examination, a full autopsy, or toxicology testing.
The timeline for a coroner's investigation varies. Some cases are cleared within hours. Others take several days, particularly if toxicology results are needed. During this time, the body remains with the coroner's office or is released to the funeral home with restrictions on proceeding until the investigation is complete.
This waiting period can be frustrating for families who want to move forward with arrangements. The funeral director communicates with the coroner's office on the family's behalf and keeps the family updated on the timeline.
The Arrangement Meeting and What Follows
Once the family sits down with the funeral director for the arrangement meeting, the decisions made in that conversation determine what happens to the body next.
If the Family Chooses Embalming
Embalming is the most common form of body preparation for traditional funerals with an open casket viewing. The process is performed by a licensed embalmer, who may be the funeral director or a separate staff member.
The body is placed on a stainless steel table in the preparation room. Clothing is removed. The body is washed thoroughly with a disinfectant solution. The embalmer then begins the arterial embalming process.
A small incision is made in an artery, usually near the collarbone or the inner thigh. A tube is inserted into the artery, and embalming fluid, a mixture of formaldehyde, water, and other chemicals, is pumped into the circulatory system using a machine. As the embalming fluid flows in, it pushes the blood out through a corresponding vein, which is drained into the table and then into the sewage system.
This process takes one to two hours depending on the condition of the body. The embalmer monitors the distribution of the fluid by checking the skin for color changes and firmness. The goal is to achieve even distribution throughout the body so that all tissues are preserved and the skin takes on a natural, lifelike tone.
After arterial embalming, the embalmer treats the internal organs through a process called cavity embalming. A device called a trocar is used to aspirate the contents of the chest and abdominal cavities and replace them with concentrated embalming fluid. This prevents internal decomposition and gas buildup.
Once the embalming is complete, the embalmer cleans the body again, closes any incisions with sutures, and begins the cosmetic restoration process.
Dressing and Cosmetology
The body is dressed in the clothing the family has selected. This might be a suit, a dress, a uniform, or casual clothing that reflects the person's personality. The funeral home staff handles dressing with care, and the clothing is often prepared by the family in advance.
Hair is washed, dried, and styled. If the family has provided a photograph showing the person's typical hairstyle, the staff uses it as a reference. Some funeral homes have a licensed cosmetologist on staff or on call to handle more detailed hairstyling.
Cosmetics are applied to give the skin a natural, healthy appearance. Foundation is used to even out skin tone and mask any discoloration. Blush, lip color, and other subtle applications are added to create a lifelike warmth. The goal is not to make the person look like they are wearing heavy makeup. The goal is to make them look like themselves.
For men, the face is shaved and groomed. For women, the family may provide specific makeup products or preferences. The cosmetology process is tailored to the individual, and the funeral home staff often spends considerable time getting the details right.
Setting the Features
One of the less discussed aspects of body preparation is "setting the features," which refers to positioning the face and hands in a natural, restful expression.
The eyes are closed using small plastic caps placed under the eyelids that hold them in position. The mouth is closed and set using a suture or a device that holds the jaw in place. The lips are positioned in a slight, natural line. The hands are placed across the chest or at the sides, depending on the family's preference and the casket style.
This step is critical for an open casket viewing. The expression on the deceased person's face is often the most lasting image family members carry with them. A skilled embalmer takes great care to create a peaceful, familiar look.
If the Family Chooses No Embalming
If the family has chosen a closed casket service, a memorial service without the body present, or direct burial, embalming may not be performed. In these cases, the body is washed, dressed, and stored in refrigeration until the service or burial takes place.
Some families who choose not to embalm still want a private viewing, a brief, informal opportunity for immediate family members to see the person one last time before the casket is closed or cremation occurs. The funeral home can accommodate this with the body in its refrigerated, non-embalmed state. The person may look slightly different than they would after full embalming and cosmetic restoration, but many families find that a private, unembellished viewing is exactly what they need.
If the Family Chooses Cremation
If the family chooses cremation, the body is held in refrigeration until the required paperwork is completed. In Ohio, a 24-hour waiting period after death is required before cremation can take place. The cremation authorization form must be signed by the legal next of kin, and the county coroner or medical examiner must approve the cremation.
Once all authorizations are in place, the body is transported to the crematory. The body is placed in a rigid, combustible container (a simple cardboard or wood box if no casket was purchased) and placed in the cremation chamber. The process takes two to three hours at temperatures between 1,400 and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
After cremation, the remaining bone fragments are processed into a fine, uniform powder. These cremated remains, sometimes called ashes, are placed in a container or urn selected by the family. The funeral home returns the cremated remains to the family, who can then hold a memorial service, scatter the remains, or store them in a permanent location.
The Casket and the Viewing
If the family has chosen an open casket viewing, the final step before the visitation is placing the body in the casket and making last-minute adjustments.
The funeral home staff positions the body in the casket, adjusts the clothing, checks the hair and makeup, and arranges the interior lining. Pillows, padding, and fabric are adjusted to frame the body naturally. Personal items the family has requested, such as a rosary, a photograph, a letter, or a small keepsake, are placed in the casket alongside the person.
Before the family arrives for the visitation, the funeral director performs a final check. Lighting, floral placement, music, signage, and the overall appearance of the room are reviewed. The goal is for the family's first look to be a moment of peace, not a moment of shock.
Many funeral homes invite the immediate family to a private viewing before the public visitation begins. This gives the family a few minutes alone with their loved one to see the preparation, make any requests for adjustments, and have a quiet moment before the room fills with guests.
Why Transparency Matters
The reason most people do not know what happens between death and the funeral is that the funeral industry has historically kept the preparation process private. There is a practical reason for this: most families do not want to see the clinical side of body care. But there is also a cultural reason: the mystery surrounding funeral preparation has contributed to misconceptions, fears, and a lack of consumer confidence.
At Evergreen Funeral, Cremation and Reception, we believe families have the right to understand every part of the process. If you want to know what is happening to your loved one's body, we will tell you. If you prefer not to know the details, we will handle everything with care and simply let you know when your loved one is ready.
Either way, you can trust that the person you love is being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve at every stage.
If you have questions about the funeral process, need help making arrangements, or want to plan ahead for the future, contact us at (614) 654-4465. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
