Answered by Shaykh Ali Hani
Is it permissible for a woman to touch her dead husband?
According to Imam al-Ramli, it is permissible for a man to touch and look at the whole body of his wife [s. and the other way around] without desire, even what is between the navel and the knees. And it is haram to touch and look at her with desire, even if it isn’t between the navel and the knees, but it is recommended for a man and a woman not to touch their dead spouse at all.
According to Ibn Hajar, it is haram to touch what is between the navel and the knees, even without desire, and it is disliked to touch the rest of the body.
Ali Hani
[Translated by Sr. Shazia Ahmad]
References
Hashiyat al-Jamal (pp. 150-151)
Tuhfa (3:184)
Fath al-`Allam (3:185)