Abstract: A mattress for retaining fluids within a casket comprises:a liquid-impermeable elongated backing sheet;a liquid-permeable elongated top sheet;an absorbent core disposed between said backing sheet and said top sheet, the top sheet having an inner surface which is contiguous with one face of said absorbent core and said backing having an inner surface which is contiguous with the opposite face of said absorbent core, said backing sheet having a width and length greater than that of said absorbent, the backing being folded vertically upwardly at its perimeter to thereby provide side walls and end walls which form an impermeable reservoir for said fluids, said top sheet being attached to said backing sheet, said absorbent core preferably being formed from a lightweight synthetic batting.