Which action is NOT advised for the treatment of the deceased before cremation?

Placing valuables in a personal item box is a practice that is generally encouraged to ensure that any personal effects of the deceased are respected and accounted for. The focus before cremation is to prepare the body and manage the process with dignity, which includes how personal belongings are treated.

On the other hand, wrapping the body in a plastic sheet is typically discouraged because it can trap moisture and lead to decomposition issues, and it is not biodegradable, which can raise environmental concerns. Positioning the body is important for both aesthetic reasons and to ensure proper cremation procedures, while topical cleansing serves to maintain respect for the deceased and assure cleanliness prior to cremation. Thus, the emphasis throughout the preparation process is on treating the deceased with utmost respect and following best practices, which makes placing valuables in a personal item box a standard and advised procedure.