Ask a mortician
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Have you had any creepy/weird incidents involving bodies?0
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AdamAthletic wrote: »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!
Right?? I'm STILL reading this thread days later. Completely fascinating.3 -
Do you see any chance that human composting might become a viable option for disposal/recycling remains?1
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I do if I'm in the mood. I prefer music when I'm embalming at night rather than the day time when someone could hear what I'm listening too.ClubSilencio wrote: »Do you listen to music while working, or is that too awkward?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 cremated or a green burial. And if I make my wishes known in a will, can my family do what ever they choose with my remains?
The main purpose of embalming is to slow down the decomposition process if not they will discolor and smell in a short period of time. It gives the loved ones enough time to process the loss and bring closure.The Egyptians developed the first form of body preservation. They removed the organs and placed them in jars with various spices and oils. Then the body was rubbed down with a salt/oil mixture and wrapped in cotton. Embalming in the United States took off during the Civil War when a field surgeon named Dr. Thomas Holmes was asked by the military to embalm fallen troops so they could be sent home to their family for burial. Cremation is accepted in the Catholic church, you don't have to be buried. Your family can do whatever they wish with your ashes (bury, scatter, made into memorial jewelry, etc...)jennifer_417 wrote: »Have you had any creepy/weird incidents involving bodies?
They occasionally burp when you move them, but it doesn't bother me. Don't believe all of those stories you hear about the dead moving, it's a bunch of crap.Ever pickle people and put them in a jar in the pantry?
Nah, I don't need souvenirs.
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Do you see any chance that human composting might become a viable option for disposal/recycling remains?
Hmmm, maybe 100 years from now. I think in the next 50 years the government will get involved and take away the option to donate organs and make it mandatory. The hospitals will have an entire area devoted to organ/ skin/ tissue removal, kind of like a assembly line in a factory.
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I was married to a funeral director for many years. It's really a family business. Our oldest child works for him when she isn't attending college and our other kids have been around it their whole lives. When our oldest was little we lived on site and the crematory was a large building not too far from our home; she called it the creamery (at age 3). We still joke about it now and she is 20. Great questions and answers on here!2
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@LittleHearseDriver - I have two more questions please...
What's something about dead bodies that would surprise most people?
When you hear about cases where a guy wakes up alive in a bodybag or a morgue freezer, has there been a mistake made by someone, or is it actually possible for a body to exhibit no vital signs at all, and then regain them later?
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I love this thread, and I think you should write that book. Remembrance of death is a good thing. This thread reminded me of "The Lonely Death of George Bell." I printed out the article and I keep it handy as an occasional reminder. It's about people who go into the messy homes of people who died-- people who no-one claims, no one comes and claims their stuff, no one comes and cleans up their homes for them after their death. It's VERY INTERESTING:
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/18/nyregion/dying-alone-in-new-york-city.html?_r=04 -
LittleHearseDriver wrote: »Do you see any chance that human composting might become a viable option for disposal/recycling remains?
Hmmm, maybe 100 years from now. I think in the next 50 years the government will get involved and take away the option to donate organs and make it mandatory. The hospitals will have an entire area devoted to organ/ skin/ tissue removal, kind of like a assembly line in a factory.
But what about folks who cannot donate organs or even blood due to an existing medical condition that could be passed on to the recipient of the donor organ/skin/blood?
We farm folks have been composting animal carcasses for many years.I love this thread, and I think you should write that book. Remembrance of death is a good thing. This thread reminded me of "The Lonely Death of George Bell." I printed out the article and I keep it handy as an occasional reminder. It's about people who go into the messy homes of people who died-- people who no-one claims, no one comes and claims their stuff, no one comes and cleans up their homes for them after their death. It's VERY INTERESTING:
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/18/nyregion/dying-alone-in-new-york-city.html?_r=0
I read that a few times myself, sort of sad.1 -
LittleHearseDriver wrote: »Do you see any chance that human composting might become a viable option for disposal/recycling remains?
Hmmm, maybe 100 years from now. I think in the next 50 years the government will get involved and take away the option to donate organs and make it mandatory. The hospitals will have an entire area devoted to organ/ skin/ tissue removal, kind of like a assembly line in a factory.
But what about folks who cannot donate organs or even blood due to an existing medical condition that could be passed on to the recipient of the donor organ/skin/blood?
We farm folks have been composting animal carcasses for many years.
The animal shelter here uses the animals put down and road kill... Or so I've heard. But I also heard that they cremate 'em.
I imagine you get a pass on the donation if your wares are contaminated.
I don't mind being a donor. 0 -
Tweaking_Time wrote: »@LittleHearseDriver - I have two more questions please...
What's something about dead bodies that would surprise most people?
When you hear about cases where a guy wakes up alive in a bodybag or a morgue freezer, has there been a mistake made by someone, or is it actually possible for a body to exhibit no vital signs at all, and then regain them later?
In restorative art class, we studied the face in great depth and learned how to restore the face after severe trauma. We were taught to based the dimensions off a missing nose, ear, etc from other facial features. For example your eye is the same width of your nose. Your nose is the same length as your ear. The mouth is two eyes wide and so on. It was comical to watch people during our test because they would be rubbing and touching their faces trying to remember dimensions
I don't think I'm qualified enough to answer your second question. I have no education in the medical field.
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But what about folks who cannot donate organs or even blood due to an existing medical condition that could be passed on to the recipient of the donor organ/skin/blood?
We farm folks have been composting animal carcasses for many years.
If they died in the hospital under long term care they would know their medical history and automatically opt them out of the donation process.
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@LittleHearseDriver , How did your high school friends die?0
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Best. Thread. Ever!
Read the entire thing! I would totally buy your book!
Great questions, awesome answers.
My cousins owned a funeral home and when I was in school, ages ago, I got a tour and watched an embalming for a book report I did called "The American Way of Death." The whole process was fascinating!3 -
@LittleHearseDriver Thanks for this informative. Educational and entertaining thread.
1. Several TV cop/detective shows have had medical examiner or similar type people, Do you watch any or do you have had any favorite show or characters?
2. Ever watch Six Feet Under on HBO years ago?
My DW wants to be cremated but I want to be buried. I asked her to have the kids sprinkle a few if her ashes on my grave.
She wants her ashes scattered under a beautiful tree with spectacular fall leaves.
3. Is it legal to just do that in some park?0 -
@LittleHearseDriver
I am a hospice social worker, but I've always said I will one day go back to school for mortuary science. I have 2 questions:
1. Can you briefly tell me how long such schooling will take (if I went straight through) and also if there are any additional hours (interning) and tests (licensure) that needs to take place before working in a funeral home?
2. What are your thoughts about the "natural" burial options that are starting to surface these days? I've read about "burial pod" where they will plant memorial parks rather than cemeteries. I think that is a wonderful option, though I realize it is not available at this time. Do you think that will ever become a reality or does the corporate money makers have a strangle-hold on the traditional cemetery and burial styles. Also, what about truly natural burials- like with materials that will truly decompose without the plastics, toxins, etc- do you think that will be an option at some point?
I once went to a very old cemetery where I used to live. There was something about it that was magnetizing. I went to take photos. There was one stone that I found, right in the middle of the cemetery, cracked straight down the middle, with a big tree growing straight out of the center. It was so beautiful and it made me realize that all of these stones, cement, plastic, etc that we bury in the ground is so wasteful, and that nature is continuously being assaulted by these items, that I've always felt to be quite unnecessary. I guess that was the beginning of my desire to see more eco-friendly options when it comes to funeral arrangements. After seeing that tree breaking through the headstone, it never made sense to me why we can't simply, return to the earth and create new life, trees, bushes etc. That's why when I saw those burial pods, I was so excited... even though I know its still a long way to go before we get there.
(apologies if you've answered these already, I am still reading through the thread)4 -
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My friends (Devin and Berber) were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Devin's mom was in the process of filing for divorce. Her husband went on a rampage and murdered six people (his wife, father-in-law, brother-in-law, a family friend, and my two friends)blog.al.com/breaking/2011/07/jacob_shaffer_pleads_guilty_in.html@LittleHearseDriver , How did your high school friends die?
@Jimb376mfp Finishing Six Feet Under is on my to do list. I have the first two seasons, but I haven't had the chance to buy the other seasons yet. Its an entertaining show, but not 100% accurate. Hollywood glamourizes everything.
The only places that I've heard of that frown on ashes being scattered are National Parks and Disney World/Land. If there is a place that really means something to you, I say scatter them and ask for forgiveness later. Or you could always play dumb if someone confronts you
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@LittleHearseDriver
I am a hospice social worker, but I've always said I will one day go back to school for mortuary science. I have 2 questions:
1. Can you briefly tell me how long such schooling will take (if I went straight through) and also if there are any additional hours (interning) and tests (licensure) that needs to take place before working in a funeral home?
2. What are your thoughts about the "natural" burial options that are starting to surface these days? I've read about "burial pod" where they will plant memorial parks rather than cemeteries. I think that is a wonderful option, though I realize it is not available at this time. Do you think that will ever become a reality or does the corporate money makers have a strangle-hold on the traditional cemetery and burial styles. Also, what about truly natural burials- like with materials that will truly decompose without the plastics, toxins, etc- do you think that will be an option at some point?
-In the state of Tennessee, you must graduate from an accredited mortuary college with a degree in funeral service which takes 16 months, pass the national boards, pass the state law test, and serve a one year apprenticeship.
-I think green burials are wonderful. The burial pods that I have looked into required the body to be in the fetal position in order to fit. Its seems like it would be a pain in the *kitten* to get them in there that way. Hopefully they will come out with a better design.
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »Tweaking_Time wrote: »@LittleHearseDriver - I have two more questions please...
What's something about dead bodies that would surprise most people?
When you hear about cases where a guy wakes up alive in a bodybag or a morgue freezer, has there been a mistake made by someone, or is it actually possible for a body to exhibit no vital signs at all, and then regain them later?
In restorative art class, we studied the face in great depth and learned how to restore the face after severe trauma. We were taught to based the dimensions off a missing nose, ear, etc from other facial features. For example your eye is the same width of your nose. Your nose is the same length as your ear. The mouth is two eyes wide and so on. It was comical to watch people during our test because they would be rubbing and touching their faces trying to remember dimensions
I don't think I'm qualified enough to answer your second question. I have no education in the medical field.
What sort of materials do you use for restoration?1 -
Wax0
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Do you think the whole 'everyone loses 7lb at the point of death' thing is true? I.e. The human soul weighs 7lbs?0
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »
My friends (Devin and Berber) were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Devin's mom was in the process of filing for divorce. Her husband went on a rampage and murdered six people (his wife, father-in-law, brother-in-law, a family friend, and my two friends)blog.al.com/breaking/2011/07/jacob_shaffer_pleads_guilty_in.html@LittleHearseDriver , How did your high school friends die?
@Jimb376mfp Finishing Six Feet Under is on my to do list. I have the first two seasons, but I haven't had the chance to buy the other seasons yet. Its an entertaining show, but not 100% accurate. Hollywood glamourizes everything.
The only places that I've heard of that frown on ashes being scattered are National Parks and Disney World/Land. If there is a place that really means something to you, I say scatter them and ask for forgiveness later. Or you could always play dumb if someone confronts you
@LittleHearseDriver That is so awful. What a tragedy.
We used to live near there... We were outside of Huntsville, worked in Huntsville, and sometimes would drive 30 minutes across the border into TN.1 -
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PlaydohPants wrote: »Heartisalonelyhunter wrote: »Do you think the whole 'everyone loses 7lb at the point of death' thing is true? I.e. The human soul weighs 7lbs?
I though it was something in grams? 21? 25?
The weight of a human soul is 7 grams (1 oz is about 30 grams)0 -
This thread is now more like the 'Dear Abby' page. Dear Mortician, tatts or no tatts, or Dear Mortician, give me weigth loss tips plz, or Dear Mortician, how do I add friends4
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Hmm, I highly doubt that is possible.Heartisalonelyhunter wrote: »Do you think the whole 'everyone loses 7lb at the point of death' thing is true? I.e. The human soul weighs 7lbs?
[/quote]I though it was something in grams? 21? 25?[/quote]
The weight of a human soul is 7 grams (1 oz is about 30 grams)[/quote]
Holy moly! That just reminded me of an article I read a few months ago about a guy who created a *kitten* that you can put your loved ones ashes into. It's called "21 Grams" http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7155856
If I was asked to put ashes in a *kitten* I would say screw this I'm going to get a drink.5 -
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