1,295. A Funeral on Yom Tov

200:2 Some authorities say that if it's possible to have the burial performed on the first day of yom tov by a non-Jew, then we may not wait for the next day to have a Jew do it. This is so even if the deceased died that day so that we could wait until the next day without worrying about the body starting to stink; nevertheless, we should bury the deceased that day via a non-Jew. However, if a child died, even if he lived more than thirty days so we know he was viable, if it's cold so that it wouldn't be a disgrace to wait since the body is not yet decaying, he shouldn't be buried on the first day of yom tov; rather, we should wait until the second day. Some authorities say that even burying an adult can be delayed until the second day of yom tov if the body is not yet decaying. In a place where there is no set practice, this would seem to be the preferred course of action.

200:3 On the second day of yom tov - including Rosh Hashana - if it's possible to do the things mentioned in the previously halacha without delay by a non-Jew, then they should be done. The rest of the things should be done by a Jew. The purification can be performed using cloths and sheets so long as they are careful not to wring them out. If something can't be done by a non-Jew, it should be done by a Jew. He should do everything necessary as on a weekday because, when it comes to burying the dead, the second day of a yom tov is treated by the Sages as a weekday. In any event, if someone locally has already-prepared shrouds, these should be used so that sewing should be unnecessary.

That which is permitted to do to prepare a body for burial is only when they intend to bury the deceased on that day. If he's not going to be buried on that day, no preparations may be done and even handling the body is prohibited.