I've viewed several bodies and it just looks like they're asleep. 

In my experience, undertakers are very caring people and will do nothing to make your grief worse. 

They should make her presentable so that she can be viewed. Sometimes they'll ask for the family to bring in a woman's make up box so that she can wear her favourite colours. They may also put a veil over her coffin to soften the look, and make it slightly less real.  

I suggest you phone the undertakers, explain your fears, say you've never seen a dead body before, and you don't know how you'll react. I'm sure they'll be able to reassure you.  After that, you're free to go to the undertakers and if you change your mind at the last minute, then no-one will hold it against you. 

Hello jen sorry about your mum it happend to us i bet your still in shock i think the best thing is to do what you thinks best if you dont go you will allways wish you had if you go it could be a shock .i wouldnt go to see mum nor my partner i went to see dad and i wish i hadnt . I wanted to remember them as they where if your in doupt dont if your dad wants to go let him go with the otheres .it will not be the mum you new .once again ime so sorry but dont feel guilty if you dont go liz was the love of my life and i i felt no guilt .best wishs to you and your family and your poor dad he must be in pergatory .paul

Thank you for your reply

we have until Sunday to go in and see her before the funeral, so I’m thinking of maybe just being in the room but having the coffin closed that way I’m still there but just not seeing anything. I know for a fact she wouldn’t want me to go in there however. I suppose I’ll just go with however im feeling 

thanks again :)

Hi Paul I’m so sorry to hear of your loss it truly is a horrendous thing to go through

my dad has been in to see her and has advised me not to since it doesn’t look like “her”. But I’ve got a few days to make a choice. I may ask to go in and have a closed coffin. 

I was there at her death so I don’t think I would have regrets about not going to see her since I was there when it wasn’t most important. It’s just a daunting decision to have to make 

Thank you for your reply :)

Hi if you were there when your mum passed away i would just go with the closed casket  being there was great for your mum thats what counts and thanks to i i would go along with what your dad says he knows best .p

There's no right or wrong in this situation. You must do what you'll be comfortable with, and I'm sure the undertakers will accommodate your wishes. 

Best wishes. 

Hi, I am so so sorry for the loss of your mum, I was with my mum when she passed away at 70years of age and also with my sister at age 67. I didn’t go and see them before the funeral, I just kept a good happy memory of them in my head, this is such a personal choice and such a difficult one. A body changes very quickly after they pass, I was shocked at how quickly when I was with my sister. I wish I’d left the room  and didn’t go back in. Remember your mum in happy times. I wish you all the best at such a difficult time.