Chapel of rest , what to expect

[Furryrug]

We're going to see dad tomorrow in the chapel of rest , I'm dreading it but doing it for my mum. I was with dad when he passed on 1st August so have seen him not alive.
I don't know what to expect, will he be in the coffin? What if he looks really different?

My lovely mum died last October and I saw her shortly after she died. I wanted to see her in the chapel of rest but was incredibly nervous as I'd never been to see anyone before. She was in her chosen coffin on a stand in the dress and jewellery I had sent with her and a teddy bear and photos of her children and grandchildren. She had a little bit of makeup on and her hair was nicely swept back. Her nose looked slightly different other than that she looked so lovely and peaceful. I was so glad I overcame my fear and went. We were so so close and I wanted to make sure she looked her best.

My MIL did look quite different, in that her skin was smoother than usual and more yellow toned. Her face looked thinner too to how I remember her, but I hadn't been able to see her much in person in a few months due to Covid restrictions. She also looked smaller which I wasn't expecting. She definitely looked peaceful though and well cared for in death which I found comforting. The funeral home staff were so lovely and were very honest with us about what to expect before we went to see MIL. They talked about her with love, and talked too her too which I found really comforting.

I'm so sorry for your loss

So it's done , we went to see dad this afternoon, he looked just like he always did, clean shaven and very smart in his shirt and tie. We talked to him and I realised we didn't have anything of ours with us to put in the coffin with him so I pulled a few strands of my hair out and wrapped it round his fingers. I put my hand over his and gave him a kiss, he was colder than I expected and I kept expecting him to breathe.
I don't know how I feel now but glad we got to say a proper, private goodbye. I can't get my head around the fact that I will never see him again.

I visited my husband in the chapel. He looked peaceful, better then when he died. He was very cold when I touched him but looked asleep I was very glad to have seen him looking like that and it felt like a proper goodbye.