Final answer:
Washing the body of a deceased person is a common practice that serves as a sign of respect and has practical benefits in terms of preservation and preventing disease spread, especially when there's a delay between death and burial.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question whether you should wash the body of a deceased person before burial is one with biological and cultural considerations. Historically and in various cultures, washing the body of the deceased is a common practice. Not only does it serve as a sign of respect for the person who has passed, but it also plays a practical role in preserving the body and preventing the spread of disease, especially when there might be a delay between death and burial.
References like Galipapa's testimony suggest that measures were taken to store bodies properly until burial could begin, indicating the importance of maintaining the body in a condition suitable for final rites.