Feminist group reclaiming care for the dead Feminist group reclaiming care for the dead Summarised from a letter by Jean Hera and from the booklet 'Homedeath'. We are interested in networking with The Natural Death Centre in the UK to exchange information and support. Laying out the body It is important to 'lay out' the dead body relatively soon after death has occurred. The use of a plastic undersheet will help you protect a mattress. Urine should be emptied from the bladder.
Bowels are likely to seep also.
Old nursing texts discuss the use of non-absorbent cotton wool to plug the body orifices when laying out a body. Wash the dead person's body, clean the teeth and mouth, clothe them and comb their hair etc. The head can be turned gently to one side to allow any fluid in the mouth to escape. Shut the eyes by gently closing the eyelids - if they reopen they can be held closed for a few minutes and then should remain closed. An old method to keep the eyes closed was to place pennies on the closed eyelids.