IN_FINITE. Living with Death.

A chin support is positioned under the jaw
in such a way that the mouth remains closed
during the laying out of the deceased.
The sponge is used to cleanse the body of the
deceased.
Gauze dressing is used for wound treatment
of the deceased. Open areas or wounds are
bandaged.
Cotton wool is used in mortuary care to both
clean and close body orifices, such as the
throat, nostrils or anus. This prevents body
fluids from escaping.
The large curved needle is used in thanatopractical
care to close the mouth. The smaller,
curved needles are used, among other things,
to close wounds.
Wet razors are gentler and more thorough than
electric shavers. They are used to carefully
shave the face of the deceased for the last time.
The eyes are closed by using moisturizer to
place contact lens-like eye caps with small nubs
onto the eyeballs and pulling the eyelids over
them. This prevents post-mortem drooping of
the eyelids as well as possible reopening of the
eyelids due to dehydration.
Mouth shapers are used to correct the form of
the mouth and to preserve the natural features
of the face of the deceased. If necessary,
sunken cheeks are filled in, and mouth formers
can also replace dentures.
120 THE MORTUARY CARE FOR THE DEAD 121