Embalming is complete. Hopefully everything is well preserved and won't leak. Now comes the often most challening part: cosmetising. The body and hair are washed once more to remove any blood or chemicals and then thoroughly dried. Any restorations are done now, such as rebuilding features, masking sores or abrasions, etc. Sometimes a considerable amount of the face must be reconstructed, usually from a picture provided by the family. Makeup is applied to the face, neck, and hands. Either a translucent makeup is used in normal cases, or an opaque makeup is applied if the skin is damaged or discolored. In either case, the effect should be a subtle as possible to avoid an abnormal appearance (such as Uncle Bud looking like Aunt Rosie). The fingernails are trimmed. The hair is styled, either by the embalmer or by a professional hairdresser or barber (the dead don't tip very well at all!)

The remains are dressed in the outfit chosen by the family. This outfit almost always includes underwear, shoes, and socks. In the case of autopsy or other difficulties, plastic undergarments are placed on the body to prevent leakage.

Finally comes casketing. The body is placed into the casket and posed in the proper position. The family normally views the body at this point and decides on any changes that need to be made. During the viewing period (which can sometimes last for several days) the embalmer will periodically check the body for signs of decomposition and take any corrective action.

The embalmer does a lot of work. In the right hands, remains that have been disfigured in an accident or have started to decompose can be restored almost, if not exactly, to how that person normally looked. Loved ones who have wasted away in a hospital bed can look like they did before their illness struck.

The embalmer's work will only be seen for a few days and then be never seen again. For the family, however, the image they see of their loved one in the casket will stay with them forever. A poor job in the prep room leaves the family with an undesirable memory. If the embalmer does his or her job properly, this final picture will be a comfort and prove to be a positive influence in the grieving and healing process.