A body bag (900) can be assembled by a stitching process while providing increased fluid retention capabilities. An upper outer layer (101) and a lower outer layer (102), each of which can be non-woven materials, form the outer surfaces of the body bag (900). An absorbent layer (103) is disposed between the upper outer layer (101) and the lower outer layer (102). One or more edges (303,403,503,603) can be folded into a periphery (332) of the body bag (900). Stitching (802) can then be applied along the periphery (332) such that the stitching (802) passes through the upper outer layer (101), the lower outer layer (102), an upper edge (994) of the fold in the absorbent layer (103), and a complementary bottom edge (995) of the fold in the absorbent layer (103). Handles (1001,1002,1003,1004) can be included as well.