Ask a mortician
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I'm just going to need to live forever. mmmk?
If doing a closed casket, do you HAVE to be embalmed? Honestly, out of the whole process, injecting me with a bunch of stuff and draining my blood is horrifying. Yes, I'm dead...but anyway.
I just want to be shoved in a box with a closed casket funeral. Can I forego embalming? Please? lol1 -
In Canada (and I'm sure that it is the same in the States ), no you do not have to be embalmed. In fact, some religions forbid it (the Jewish religion for example). In religious cases, funerals usually take place 24-72 hours after death so keeping the body cool is more than good enough. When funerals could not take place for several days or weeks, and with inadequate refrigeration, embalming was the only way to preserve the body. Some religions customarily use a wood only coffin, and no concrete vault in the grave to encourage decomposition. Embalming/metal composite coffins/concrete vaults all encourage the preservation of the body. Ask in the area where you live, as I don't believe that many know that embalming is optional.
Yes you can still have an open casket with no embalming.3 -
If a person is really heavy (say like 300lbs), how do you get them into a casket?
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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@ninerbuff We have lifts
@Jelaan is right. Embalming is not a requirement. Most people think embalming is required by law, but its something the old funeral directors would tell people so they could make more money.5 -
Oh honey, can we be friends? Because there are always questions I have unless it's right now and I'm on the spot to be able to bring up one of those questions. (sigh) If nothing else, I can keep you entertained with sarcasm until then.2
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Oh...I do have one! I have tattoos and I heard I can arrange to have them tanned and saved for my kids (weird, I know. Midkid who loves weird stuff was kinda freaked out about this one...odd). Do the morticians arrange to have that done through a private company? How does that work?0
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@Miz_T Hmmm I've never heard of anyone doing that. Any other incisions to a body that does not have to do with embalming or removing a pace maker are considered mutilation to a corpse and could land you a few years in prison. I think I'll pass.
@MadMaxV8 Weirdest clothing item was a tube top and the weirdest undergarment was a thong
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Were they from Georgia?
Nope
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So. Many. Questions.
OK, Why does the blood go down the drain? Is it not usable once someone dies and why?
What is the most common place they take skin from in a skin donation? Muscle?
How DO you keep a mouth shut if it isn't cooperative?
Did they use to sew eyes and mouths shut before your fancy contact things?
Why is open-casket seemingly the biggest tradition? I've heard it's to "say goodbye" or provide peace to the family, but really... I'd rather they not have an image of me dead in their heads. Why?? Why why why? Can I voluntarily insist on a closed casket before they burn me? While playing Purple People Eater? Maybe?
Is jewelry removed before cremation? What about that big mac and fries? Can you burn that with the body?
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I made it through this whole thread...just got to the end and hit refresh to make sure. Great thread OP!!!
Yes - count me in on the book pre-order.
Now for my two questions:
How hot is the fire used for cremation?
and
When you cremate someone, does smoke come out of the chimney?0 -
@odusgolp In the old days when embalming took place in the home, the blood was drained into large jugs, but over the years when embalming moved to the funeral home it is more convenient for the blood to go down the drain as we are washing the body and massaging the muscles to help fluid distribution.There are several factors about post mortem blood donations make them less than ideal. It would require additional consent from the family and their medical history is unknown. It would be very expensive to test each donation for HIV/AIDS and most people who are in the process of dying are usually on large amounts of medication. Blood begins to coagulate shortly after death. It isn't worth the hassle.
We use needle injectors to help close the mouth. The "needles" which looks nothing like a needle is injected into the gums and embedded into teeth. Then we twist the wires and whoop there it is. Snip the left over wire and your good to go.
Not everyone has to have it wired shut, many times individuals die with their mouths closed and rigor sets in and we don't have to do anything. If the lips part a little bit we can super them together if they try to rebel. Before needle injectors they did sew the mouth shut, but not in the way you think. A string would be run through the top and bottom frenulum's and tied together. Stubborn eyes can be closed by draping a wet paper towel over the eyes while embalming. The weight will hold the lid down while the formaldehyde stiffens the tissues.
You know that saying "Seeing is believing"? Many people believe seeing the deceased helps with the five stages of grief ( denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance). In my opinion, it does help the family realize that they are truly gone. I had a friend that died a few years ago and I didn't get to go to his service. Not long ago, I ran into his mom and I almost asked her how he was doing. It doesn't feel like he is gone, it feels more like he is traveling across the world. I know that might sound odd, but it is hard to explain. If you don't want your family to view you, let them know what your wishes are. Its very common to have a close casket service or to do a cremation with no viewing. If someone has jewelry on, we ask the family if they would like to have it or for it to stay on. Big Mac and fries are permitted in the crematory as long as you bring me one too
@Tweaking_Time The retort runs between 1600-1800 degrees. When the first body goes in there may be a little smoke,but after that there isn't any smoke. The EPA frowns on smoke from crematories.
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Thank you madam1
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littlemissbgiff wrote: »Still the most interesting thread on the board! And I adore your new profile pic.
Agree. On both counts.
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This thread is absolutely fascinating! Can I be your friend too, please. Why is there no smoke from the crematorium after the first body??
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If we could combine it with the selfie thread then we would really have sumtin!!!
Oh goodness, I would get life in prison and be sued a million times! If I do go to prison will you at least bring me a big mac and fries?
@rather_be_snacking It goes out the chimney
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Sounds like a plan0
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I tell my kids, 24 and 19, that if I drop dead, cremate me in a cardboard box because I do not want to be laying in that casket 10 years later looking the same. How long does the body stay in that state with embalming fluid? Can you choose not to have the embalming fluid?0
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Embalming doesn't stop decomposition, it slows in down drastically. Some people stay intact for years and others decay quickly. It all depends on how well they were embalmed and what the cause of death is. Embalming is not required by law in Tennessee, each state has their own rules and regulations.wrknonmedaily wrote: »How long does the body stay in that state with embalming fluid? Can you choose not to have the embalming fluid?
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What about aquamation?0
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But doesn't the body decompose faster without embalming fluid? And the smell would be noxious right?LittleHearseDriver wrote: »Embalming is not a requirement. Most people think embalming is required by law, but its something the old funeral directors would tell people so they could make more money.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Embalming is kind of like pickling eggs. It won't make them last forever, but it will make it last a lot longer.0
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Do you listen to music while working, or is that too awkward?
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »Embalming is kind of like pickling eggs. It won't make them last forever, but it will make it last a lot longer.
What's the purpose of the embalming? I know it's so they don't decompose so quickly and burial can be arranged. But is that the only reason? Is there some historical/religious reasons for embalming?
I do not want to be embalmed. My husband says I have to be buried (Catholic) but I don't wanna be locked in a box for ever. I'd rather be creamated or a green burial. Maybe if the blood went to the dirt and not to the doody recycling facility.
And if I make my wishes known in a will, can my family do what ever they choose with my remains?
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Fairly sure this is the first time I've voluntarily sat and read through a thread from start to finish in about 2 years!
Very interesting, some great questions and fantastic answers!9
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