Sorry, it's been crazy busy for me the last week or so and I haven't had a moment to contemplate my waffle on this blog.
Amongst some of my clients this month I have looked after a young child who had terminal cancer and someone killed in a road traffic accident. Both of these cases make one stop and think and appreciate all the more ones blessings. I must say that thankfully the majority of deceased for me are elderly.
Dealing with infant or child death is always distressing. Everyone working on the firm has a heavy heart, it affects all of us knowing a little one is on the premises; some from their own life experience, others from empathy. I have great respect for the funeral director at such times as he or she helps them say goodbye to their precious baby in a most dignified manner. I don't know how anyone can face the death of their child and continue to breathe, I admire grieving parents and relatives so much for their strength and bravery.
Funeral homes and embalmers have a few ways to give mementoes to the parents. Sometimes a foot or hand print, sometimes a lock of hair and more lately there is a number of jewellers who make jewellery detailing finger prints. I printed hands and feet last week with coloured ink, and remembered doing the same with my child at a similar age. The difference being that my child was squirming and protesting. Its so very, very sad. Something I have never got used to and hope I never do.
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) have a varying effect on the deceased for embalming purposes. Firstly, they always have been the subject of a post mortem and then the wounds inflicted from the accident vary. Sometimes there is barely a scratch as they died from a broken neck or compression from the seat belt or steering wheel. Other times there are many broken limbs. The worst of course is when there are lacerations to the face and shattered facial bones. A shattered skull or jaw bone takes a great deal of time and patience to reconstruct to the correct and natural shape.
Facial injuries are my prime concern. The families often need to say their goodbyes seeing as little evidence of the accident as possible on their loved one. Often, they have viewed in hospital for identification purposes and we need to fix that final memory into one of peace. Broken limbs can be hidden under clothing, but someone hitting a tree face on is a complicated and 'midnight oil' mission. There are many cosmetics which can be applied and thankfully some also specially developed for our use.
I raise a glass to you all, my deceased clients, and hope that in some little way I have enabled your loved ones to have peaceful thoughts of you, this and every Yule x
And to my readers, a peaceful and comfortable yuletide and a prosperous new year. May your God go with you xx
