The first time I laid out a person I was 18 years old, a brand new shiny nurse. So naive I squeaked! His name was Hugh and 30 years later I can see his face still so clearly, a beautiful bluff and sweary welshman. I so enjoyed his company in life. I was with him when he died and I laid him out with a more senior nurse. “Open the window first” she said, “so his spirit can get out”. I never questioned her, and for all the years I have nursed I have always opened the window first.
