Ask a mortician
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PlaydohPants wrote: »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)
Together we figured it out. She had 7, I had grams
Team work!
Although actually you were right. It's 21 grams
http://www.historicmysteries.com/the-21-gram-soul-theory/
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »-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.
We have a similar issue if a horse dies or has to be put down in a stall, some horse people and vets are learning what is called "folding", basically tucking and tying all the limbs and head and neck around to the torso, for easier removal from the stall, and easier transport to either the grave site or compost site. Obviously it needs to be done before rigor sets in.4 -
What do you do with the bodies that get donated to science? Do you ship them somewhere or does 'science' come get them?0
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After the medical schools are finished with their research, the body is cremated and the ashes are given to the family.2
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »After the medical schools are finished with their research, the body is cremated and the ashes are given to the family.
Does the research facility pay for the cremation?0 -
Yes, they do. If you want to be donated for medical research you will need to sign up for their waiting list.1
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »Yes, they do. If you want to be donated for medical research you will need to sign up for their waiting list.
If you want to donate your body to science, I suggest you contact your local University hospital and ask for their anatomical donation office. There are registration forms you can fill out so when you pass away, the facility will take care of everything. However, with whole body donation (i.e., leaving your body to science), your body gets taken right away after you die; no viewing, no funeral (unless it's a memorial service with no body). Should you register, it's not permanent. You can always change your mind. Just be sure to destroy the registration documents and notify the facility that you are cancelling the registration.
No matter how you wish your body to be disposed of (burial, cremation, entombed, donating your body to science, etc.), write down your wishes and give copies to the person you choose to be your funeral representative, or your executor or executrix. Although you can include your body disposal wishes in your Last Will and Testament, some Wills are not read right after a person passes away, so your wishes may not be known or carried out.
If you are 18 or older, you need three documents for your estate plan: A Will, a power of attorney, and an advanced medical directive. It is a misconception that you don't need a Will because you don't have any money or property. Everyone has an "estate" by virtue of being born. A Will makes it much easier on your family because you are stating your last wishes, and you are appointing a person to carry out those wishes (called your executor or executrix). If you die intestate (without a Will), your family has to go to court for someone to be appointed as the administrator of your estate. It can be a tedious process in a very upsetting time.
Some people have the superstition that if you make a Will, you'll die right afterwards. Not true. Just look at it as signing a business document.
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Thanks @Marillian, I didn't have to motivation nor the willing power to explain it like you did. My brain was mush earlier.1
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »Yes, they do. If you want to be donated for medical research you will need to sign up for their waiting list.
If you want to donate your body to science, I suggest you contact your local University hospital and ask for their anatomical donation office. There are registration forms you can fill out so when you pass away, the facility will take care of everything. However, with whole body donation (i.e., leaving your body to science), your body gets taken right away after you die; no viewing, no funeral (unless it's a memorial service with no body). Should you register, it's not permanent. You can always change your mind. Just be sure to destroy the registration documents and notify the facility that you are cancelling the registration.
No matter how you wish your body to be disposed of (burial, cremation, entombed, donating your body to science, etc.), write down your wishes and give copies to the person you choose to be your funeral representative, or your executor or executrix. Although you can include your body disposal wishes in your Last Will and Testament, some Wills are not read right after a person passes away, so your wishes may not be known or carried out.
If you are 18 or older, you need three documents for your estate plan: A Will, a power of attorney, and an advanced medical directive. It is a misconception that you don't need a Will because you don't have any money or property. Everyone has an "estate" by virtue of being born. A Will makes it much easier on your family because you are stating your last wishes, and you are appointing a person to carry out those wishes (called your executor or executrix). If you die intestate (without a Will), your family has to go to court for someone to be appointed as the administrator of your estate. It can be a tedious process in a very upsetting time.
Some people have the superstition that if you make a Will, you'll die right afterwards. Not true. Just look at it as signing a business document.
Buzz kill.
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Have you ever been involved in an exhumation of a body? How about having to deal with a death of a John/Jane Doe and where are they buried if there's no prepaid ground site?
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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Have you ever been involved in an exhumation of a body? How about having to deal with a death of a John/Jane Doe and where are they buried if there's no prepaid ground site?
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
I have witnessed two. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to peek inside to see what they looked like after all that time. I have always been curious how well people have held up. I've never buried a Jane or John Doe. About twice a year we get a homeless person with no known family. The city cemetery gives them a plot, we provide a casket and headstone. Usually someone comes looking for them a year or two later.5 -
still reading every question/response and random post...just saying :-)
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You mentioned that the cause of death affects the embalming. I'm curious as to how or what kind (causes) of deaths cause the embalmed body to decompose faster or slower? Thanks for this thread...I think we are all interested in this thread because all of us have faced death of someone close to us0
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Liver and kidney disease effect embalming because the build up of ammonia. Ammonia neutralizes formaldehyde and bodies don't firm up like they should.2
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Have you ever had to intern a new born? How emotional was it for you if you did?
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 0 -
I've taken care of several babies. The guys at work have a hard time with kids so I normally handle them. Honestly, I don't get emotional about it. The way I look at it is they get to miss all of the crappy parts of life and go on to a better place. They will never experience poverty, sickness, or the countless other heartbreaks in life. I feel terrible for the parents. It's hard to see them wondering "what if I had done this or that? " The loss of a child is a unique form of grief.
(I hope I don't sound like a heartless monster)9 -
LittleHearseDriver wrote: »
@Heartisalonelyhunter I have never had anyone move, but they can make a burping sound when you are transferring them front table to table.
This is one thing I wish I was warned about. I had been out of school a few years and we were transferring a patient who passed away to the morgue. I screamed like a school girl and ran from the room. Was NOT expecting that!0 -
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Everyone likes to tell me the cheesy ones: 'I'll be the last person to let them down' and 'People are always dying to see me. 'Do you have any industry related jokes?
Have you ever created an alias off of a dead person?
I wonder what they we're like before death and if they would've liked me. Between pictures and how they treated their body you can learn a great deal about an individual. Sometimes I wish I could have a conversation with them.
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ClubSilencio wrote: »Do you ever eat your lunch there in the funeral home?
If so, cold cuts, right?
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I like to mix it up between leftovers from home, Taco Hell, and Sonic.4
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Do you find that people put an unnecessary amount of stigma around funeral homes?
Several of my friends (around 80% of my social circle actually) are doctors and specialists - it's a debate that I've had with them about the hospitals themselves.
People are put off my places like funeral homes yet are fine with hospital wards - a place that at any one time will predominantly store more deceased than the funeral home is likely to!2 -
No matter how you wish your body to be disposed of (burial, cremation, entombed, donating your body to science, etc.), write down your wishes and give copies to the person you choose to be your funeral representative, or your executor or executrix. Although you can include your body disposal wishes in your Last Will and Testament, some Wills are not read right after a person passes away, so your wishes may not be known or carried out.
If you are 18 or older, you need three documents for your estate plan: A Will, a power of attorney, and an advanced medical directive. It is a misconception that you don't need a Will because you don't have any money or property. Everyone has an "estate" by virtue of being born. A Will makes it much easier on your family because you are stating your last wishes, and you are appointing a person to carry out those wishes (called your executor or executrix). If you die intestate (without a Will), your family has to go to court for someone to be appointed as the administrator of your estate. It can be a tedious process in a very upsetting time.
Some people have the superstition that if you make a Will, you'll die right afterwards. Not true. Just look at it as signing a business document.
Here in Florida, as part of an estate package made up of 5 documents, one is specifically for the disposition of remains, where you assign that duty to someone that you trust, and you can also state what you wish to be done with them if you choose. At the very least, name someone, and have the discussion with that person if you have any preferences.
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AdamAthletic wrote: »Do you find that people put an unnecessary amount of stigma around funeral homes?
Several of my friends (around 80% of my social circle actually) are doctors and specialists - it's a debate that I've had with them about the hospitals themselves.
People are put off my places like funeral homes yet are fine with hospital wards - a place that at any one time will predominantly store more deceased than the funeral home is likely to!
Yeah, the fear people have towards funeral homes are very unnecessary. I am frequently asked if being alone at work scares me and I tell them no, it's so quite and peaceful. I think nursing homes are more depressing than funeral homes. Watching people waste away ans lose their ability to take care of themselves is far worse than death.
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »I've taken care of several babies. The guys at work have a hard time with kids so I normally handle them. Honestly, I don't get emotional about it. The way I look at it is they get to miss all of the crappy parts of life and go on to a better place. They will never experience poverty, sickness, or the countless other heartbreaks in life. I feel terrible for the parents. It's hard to see them wondering "what if I had done this or that? " The loss of a child is a unique form of grief.
(I hope I don't sound like a heartless monster)
My grandfather was going to be a mortician but couldn't because of the kids. He said the adults were probably dicks but the kids just bothered him to much.2 -
AngInCanada wrote: »LittleHearseDriver wrote: »
@Heartisalonelyhunter I have never had anyone move, but they can make a burping sound when you are transferring them front table to table.
This is one thing I wish I was warned about. I had been out of school a few years and we were transferring a patient who passed away to the morgue. I screamed like a school girl and ran from the room. Was NOT expecting that!
Gah me too! At an ER though, and I didn't run but I did kinda yelp.0 -
LittleHearseDriver wrote: »
Everyone likes to tell me the cheesy ones: 'I'll be the last person to let them down' and 'People are always dying to see me. 'Do you have any industry related jokes?
Have you ever created an alias off of a dead person?
I wonder what they we're like before death and if they would've liked me. Between pictures and how they treated their body you can learn a great deal about an individual. Sometimes I wish I could have a conversation with them.
"I always bury my mistakes"0 -
I haven't heard that one 0
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Do you get a break from work if people aren't dying? Any other duties?0
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