Two volunteers remained in the Tomb at all times. One would fan Baba from the landing of the crypt, the other would be busy collecting flowers at the door and cleaning the floor with a damp cloth. Eau de cologne of lavender and Chanel (which Baba had liked) was sprinkled on him. Three times a day, the doors of the Tomb were closed while the blocks of ice surrounding Baba were changed. Sawdust, and afterwards rose petals, were sprinkled on the ice to impede its melting.
Goher would often examine Baba's body for signs of deterioration. Although the abdomen did bloat a little on the first day, after that there were no more signs that Baba's body was distending. Only the skin of Baba's face was visible and it remained smooth, shining and lustrous for all of the seven days. Baba's sheet was not changed, but a fresh one was daily put over the one in which he was wrapped upon which devotees placed their floral offerings. Over the scarf around Baba's head was a pink cloth, the ends of which covered his chest.
The women mandali stayed on Meherabad Hill in the east room and would come several times each day to be near Baba's body. A loudspeaker was connected, over which bhajans and qawaalis were sung, and poems and prayers recited. Keshav Nigam recited his Meher Chalisa inside the Tomb each day, and Harry Kenmore the Master's and Repentance prayers. Each evening, Sarosh would apologize on behalf of the trustees of the Avatar Meher Baba Trust for not being able to provide food and accommodation to the lovers. He would then request the devotees to leave Meherabad after having had Baba's darshan, so that others could be accommodated.
No one wanted to leave until Baba's body was interred, and no one was certain when that would happen. Every morning all would be eager to know Goher's report about Baba's condition, as the trustees had declared they would inter the body on the first signs of decomposition. Mehera and Mani thought Baba himself would decide when his body should be covered, which they did not wish to allow to happen as long as the body looked fresh and beautiful. Baba had remarked on the morning of the 31st that he would be free of suffering after seven days. Taking this as a meaningful hint from him, the trustees held a meeting and the interment was fixed for Friday, 7 February 1969, at 12:15 P.M. The 7th that year also happened to be Baba's birthday according to the Zoroastrian calendar.