A personal touch

Embalming your own family is both a privilege and an honour.   It is also a source of a great deal of worry and postponement of your own grieving.

My wonderful mother in law died and as we had always talked about how I would look after her, I felt the weight of obligation and duty heavy on my shoulders.   I need not have worried though, she made it easy for me.

Initially I was concerned about whether I would be able to take on the task as its obviously not something you do every day.  I have embalmed friends and their relatives, and relatives relatives but never someone who meant so much to me.

I messaged my colleagues on our secret facebook group, posting asking for their thoughts and advice and I was overwhelmed by their kind words and consideration for me.  Most of them had embalmed family, some had not but felt it was something they could do.  All of them agreed that it would be hard but something that I was 'bound' to do. To quote my colleague 'A'  - I have looked after all my rellies and many friends, I tend to chat all the way through and cry too, tho usually cry at end when everything is done and they're in chapel. Be yourself and do what you do, just for her... Be proud you can look after her as the last care giver and with love and thanks for the part she played in your life.   and  'M'  -  To embalm one of our own family is, in my humble opinion, the final and most precious act of love.     Several of these people messaged me offering to come help, and also messaged me during the day to check I was feeling OK. 

My own family and that of my dear mother in law, didn't talk to me about it much, full to overflowing with their own grief at their sudden loss,  I didn't really expect anything different.  Lets face it, its not something you want to talk about if you are not in the business.   But my parents, sister and my loyal and trusted friends couldn't have been kinder and more considerate to me.  Some in grand gestures and others in their quiet, supportive way.  But I knew I was being propped up in all directions so I couldn't fail.

The day I went to embalm her was four days after death.  Sadly, papers weren't completed in enough time to bring her to premises before the weekend, but Monday morning first thing, my colleagues collected her for me and I attended as soon as I could get there.    My stomach churned, dreading how I would react, just hoping that I would have my 'medical head' kick in and my emotions would be turned off for just that short time.


Entering the theatre, I felt such a dread in the pit of my stomach, nothing had ever felt like this before.  I have lost lots of loved ones, but none have made me have physical pain; such heartache.  True ache in my heart.

So, there she was, in that place where so many have been before.

I need not have felt any dread.   She did for me as she had done all her days.  She helped me.  She would never have made things awkward for me, uncomfortable for me, difficult for me.  Neither did she in death.

I pulled away the sheet covering her small frame.  She looked so peaceful.  Not a line on her countenance, not a hair out of place.  No hypostasis, no oedema, no purging, nothing to create a distressing scene.  A couple of IV sites and a removed pacemaker suture were the only signs of medical, physical trauma.  I took a deep breath and started to work.

When everything was done, I washed her hair, dried and tonged it.  Dressed her in her lovely pink jumper and black trousers and replaced her glasses.   She looked lovely.  What a relief, I cant tell you.  My colleague helped me gently pop her into her coffin, dressed lovingly in a pink frill and we wheeled her into chapel.    I set the lighting and told her I would be back later with her children.

Then I cried.

What a kerfuffle

After all the fuss and bother following the Exposure programme which showed undercover filming in a funeral home on TV a few weeks ago, things have returned to normal.  Obviously my avid reader, you don't need me to tell you that we aren't all like that and never have I experienced anything like the programme showed.   You know me by now, I'm not the kind of person who would tolerate it, let alone participate.  But, be reassured, never in all my days have I seen such lack of respect. 

Moving on, the last few weeks have been relatively quiet on the embalming front for me.  I have a feeling its the calm before the storm as the weather is changing and winter will soon be upon us.   I have been working hard though and having a look at some different embalming fluids which are available to me.  Its a bit like changing washing up liquid.   You know it all does the same thing, but some liquids do their job better than others so you keep trying all the new ones to see how they work and if they can make an improvement on what you are already using.    Its interesting for me to keep abreast of any developments within my field.

I had a person come to me a few weeks ago covered in faecal matter and vomit.  For me, it needs to be removed as soon as possible after they arrive.  Escaping body fluids have the nasty habit of assisting decomposition and skin slip.    A thorough bath down soon remedies this and everyone is relieved as odours travel quickly throughout the buildings.    

We also have had some clients who have no family this month and although they are having a cremation provided by the state, they are embalmed, gowned and presented in the same way as everyone else.  I am proud of this, because the companies I work for value everyone we serve. 

Nothing much else to say just now, I really must consider something interesting to talk about.  Anyone want to know something I haven't covered?   Let me know. 

What do you call a collective of Embalmers?

I have no idea.   But after spending this weekend with 100 of them, I would say something like ' A bloody great bunch'.

This weekend was our biennial gathering of fellows, members and students of the British Institute of Embalmers for a day and a half of lectures and general socialising.   Having members from all over the world means we are lucky enough to attract some excellent speakers who work within embalming or research into embalming and anatomy.   We had sessions which showed slides and video work of some of the most skilled reconstruction embalming I have ever seen.  I can only dream of being able to help a family view their loved one who committed suicide by placing their head under a compacting whacker plate.   Another fascinating lecture demonstrated how connected our vascular system is using the assistance of phosphorescence.   It truly is a beautiful thing to watch a body glow.  Imagine donating your body to medical science and then watch it from your 'heaven' being lit up in full glory!

Another interesting talk demonstrated an alternative method of embalming babies.   This lecture was backed up with a full hand-out of which I am always grateful.  I am so appreciative of my colleagues sharing their knowledge with me,  as I know others are.   It really is a special gift to be able to innovate, push boundaries and share willingly.

The evenings are spent having dinner and chatting with friends old and new.    Being part hippy, I really appreciate the freedom of being able to walk up to anyone and introduce myself and ask them about themselves.  Some take to it well, others find it awkward but after a couple of drinks loosen up!  Also, I must stop kissing people!   I do it only by way of greeting previous attendees you understand, but a couple of people recoiled as I thrust myself upon them.   Poor devils!

When I arrived at work today, I was faced with a pre-term baby and two post mortem cases, one of which was a young lady.  One is always keen as mustard after Keele; having been inspired, educated and comparing stories for two days.     I changed into my scrubs and set to work willing to apply any new techniques I had picked up.    I changed around a couple of my working methods today and spent a little longer looking at the vessels in the PM.

I am quickened once more.

Do not speak of me in that tone of voice.

To say that I was furious about the Dispatches 'Undercover Undertaker' programme last night is an overstatement. 

I was very excited to see what scandalous operations were secretly filmed and hopeful of them ensuring regulatory changes were to be made in the funeral industry.   It was all a bit of a let down to be honest.  

The programme showed secret filming of a warehouse which housed a mortuary racking system - where deceased were kept prior to being embalmed, coffined, and returned to the local funeral home and where the fleet of vehicles were kept along with a large supply of coffins.   The programme also showed a funeral home manager training his team to not promote the cheaper coffins and not to offer the cheapest funerals.   The 'investigator' also discussed the need for 'hygienic treatment' and its' cost and whether this was a necessity to the client.  They showed through secret filming, how the funeral arranger advised families they needed this treatment as there were to be viewings of the deceased and asked them to sign for permission to carry out this treatment.

I believe your chosen funeral home should house the deceased they are looking after, where possible, for the whole duration of their stay before the funeral.    Your funeral director should not be trying to persuade you into purchasing something you do not need, and that includes a more expensive coffin.  Within every industry there are unscrupulous individuals who are out for every ounce of profit they can make.   Funeral homes need to make a profit to stay in business but whilst doing so they can be clear and honest with their clients, conduct themselves in a manner befitting the trust placed in their laps.

I was very disappointed with the funeral spokesperson as he didn't explain the reasons for hygienic treatment.

He could have said that we try to ensure the best possible experience when saying goodbye and hygienic treatment helps with that.  It also means the persons who need to dress the deceased can do so knowing they aren't going to be covered in faeces, vomit, blood or other body fluids because their embalmer has been in and cleaned everything and disinfected everything and made the deceased look at peace.  He could have asked the reporter if she had seen a deceased person who had been poorly and unable to shave or wash their hair or clean their nails.  Then made her return once they had been embalmed and had their dignity restored for their loved ones last image of them.   Goodness!  Can you tell I am very irritated?   What a complete let down. 

I have no way of letting the public know how I feel.  So here I am letting you all know so you can tell anyone who mentions it to you.   If you have any questions or comments, I would be happy to answer them to the best of my ability here for you.  I feel sorry for the people who have used the funeral home mentioned in the documentary, they possibly feel very let down.   I hope they don't.  Just because there are a few idiot individuals,  the whole company isn't full of them.

Next time I shall try to not rant!   Meanwhile, my colleague has a good blog for you to look at too.  

Great expectations

Hello everyone, its been a month since I last posted, sorry.   Sometimes I feel I have covered everything here, then every day something new happens and I want to share it with you.   I find myself needing to wait though, to ensure the anonymity of the people I look after.

Do take a moment to watch the film I posted by Briony Campbell.  It is very moving, and in the spirit of Death Cafe , very relevant.  People talking about death is a good thing.  Hard.  But good.

I was horrified when a family member asked to meet me a couple of weeks ago.   It's not something I do very often as I am more of a 'back room staff' kind of girl.  I have no formal training on meeting the families and I am never, ever dressed appropriately for it.   

I telephoned and spoke to him and apologised for my jeans and t-shirt but would be happy to see them in an hour.    He was so sad at the death of his father and wanted to go over a few things that he didn't want for him.  One of those was embalming.

The funeral director had already explained that as various other family members wanted to see Dad, we encourage embalming.  I expanded on this explaining that we want everyone to have the best experience they can, and embalming would ensure this for them.  We both agreed that Dad needed to look peaceful and natural.   We discussed hair washing, shaving, bathing and cleaning nails and the son explained that he had previously had a couple of experiences with chapel visits and they weren't good. ( Not with my company I hasten to add!  )

He didn't want Dad to have swollen features, nor his teeth replaced as he never wore his dentures.   Rather interestingly, Dad wasn't to be dressed in pyjamas, clothes or a gown either.  Just a plain sheet.  Wrapped like a towel out of the bath.    Also, his hands weren't to touch as he had gripped them during his illness, whenever he was in pain.   

We always want to help the families with their requests.  No matter how different they are.   I completely understood his feelings and everyone did their best to ensure every detail was perfect. 

My embalming treatment was a subtle one.  It felt odd not using any colourant, and not replacing teeth, but I managed to get a peaceful look none the less.    Wrapping him in a clean white sheet and placing him in his coffin was easy enough, and the effect was actually quite clinical.  Medical, healing even. Peaceful too.

Viewings occurred later that week, and from what I have been told, everyone was pleased to see him to say their goodbyes.   The immediate family didn't come in, but I hope his son took comfort from knowing we carried out all his wishes, to the letter.  

Death Cafe: The Dad Project

Death Cafe: The Dad Project

A beautiful film made by a brave family.

Just having a peek around the internet

These sites have come into my eye line.    I haven't checked them out completely but thought I would share them with you...

http://morbiddesires.tumblr.com/

http://funeralsauce.tumblr.com/

http://dearlydeparted-.tumblr.com/


Don't leave me...  just have a little extra.  :D

Anyone can do the easy ones.

Pulling back the sheet covering a gentleman I was asked to attend this week,  I let out a huge sigh. 

Purple.  Red.  Swollen. Enough considerations to stimulate the most sleepy of minds, I realised a challenge was before me.   In situations such as these I remember my colleague telling me 'Anyone can do the easy ones'.

I was informed that this man was being viewed the following day, but luckily his funeral was in three days so he didn't have to stay with us too much longer.  The paramount consideration was therefore viewing, ensuring that he looked at peace for his family.   But where to start?

Mr Man had been found after a couple of days of being dead in bed.  It seemed he had died in his sleep but as he lived alone, he wasn't discovered immediately.   The post mortem had been carried out and a natural cause of death established.   I set to work opening the sutures and concentrating on washing him and locating the vessels required for treatment.   Mixing my fluids I chose a usual strength as he was leaving us quite quickly, and the addition of a fluid which is designed to help resist further decomposition.   We can't turn the clock back but we can press pause.   For a short time at least.

After thorough embalming and washing and drying his hair, I dried his face and started to think about what work I could do to cover the discolouration.   Fortunately there was no facial skin slip, where the start of decomposition separates the top layer of the skin and blisters (a little like sunburn).    Some embalmers have access to an air spray cosmetic system.  I have had the opportunity to have a go, and look forward to developing techniques in the future, but for now I use various creams and liquid cosmetics.   I use my gloved hand to mix and develop the colour I need and slowly covered Mr Mans entire face with the chosen blend.

This isn't done with one layer, its a multi layered slow process, changing the palette as I go, adding softer warmer colours in the facial 'hot spots' to create a natural and even skin tone.   This is very hard to do in cases of skin slip because the base isn't there to start with.  Even more impossible immediately following embalming and better to be done when the fluid has had time to fix the tissues.    Eyebrows, lashes and hair lines are cleaned and traces of the cosmetic removed.  This is easier said than done!

Eventually, a tint to the lips completes the overall look and one needs to be satisfied that the deceased doesn't look as if they are wearing make up, or indeed that anything other than their natural self is presented.   Dressing can be a bit of a hassle after cosmetic work, and sometimes it is better that the deceased is dressed  and placed into their coffin prior to cosmetic work being carried out.   I helped place Mr Man into his coffin and when he was placed into the Chapel of Rest with appropriate lighting, I was more than confident that traces of his previous colouring were removed.  He looked at rest and the same as anyone else who resides in our Chapels. 

The family communicated their satisfaction and no one has to know that Mr Man was anything other than how he presented that day.   His last face to them was one of peace and rest.

Ally Sheedys character in Chris Columbus 1991 film Only the Lonely, cosmetises her clients to resemble famous movie stars!

'What are you doing here, hey Georgina?'

Sudden death always results in a post mortem examination; typically a third of all deaths.   The local coroners officer liaises with the family of the deceased and the Coroner will request a post mortem and follow it up with an inquest if necessary.  

For there to be a cause of death, all organs have to be removed by a mortician and then dissected and examined by a pathologist.   How much of a role the mortician has differs in each medical facility.  Certainly, the longer serving and better qualified morticians are trusted colleagues of the pathologists and their opinions are well valued.  

Take for example, someone who has died without suspicious circumstances or trauma.  Perhaps they seem to have had a stroke, but because they have no recent history regarding this, a post mortem is required.   The mortician will remove all organs and prepare them for the pathologist.  

This image, taken from Wiki, shows the brain in situ after the back of the cranium has been removed.  

The brain is removed by the mortician and placed ready for the pathologist to dissect to assist in ascertaining the cause of death.

The pathologist confirms the cause of death (probably from a clot in the brain but don't ask me how, I have no idea) and the mortician can now replace all organs back into the trunk.  The brain is also placed into the abdominal cavity as it is completely unhygienic and impractical to attempt replacement in the cranium. Cotton wool is placed in the cranium, throat area and pelvic bowl and the incisions, both trunk and skull, are sutured to return the deceased to a dignified and complete state.

The hair is washed and dried and the body is also washed, dried and dressed in a shroud.  This is usually a plain white cotton 'kaftan' style garment which easily and respectfully clothes the deceased.  

So, now its my turn.

I am unable to embalm from one point as the circuit of blood vessels has been broken by the removal of organs and dissection of tissues.  I must reopen the sutures, clean and treat the organs, dispose of the cotton wool and replace with fresh.  I intubate each main vessel individually in order to send the fluids to the tissues.   To embalm each leg, buttock and sections of the trunk and lower sections of the back I must locate the iliac arteries and intubate and inject them.   To embalm each arm, chest wall, breast and upper sections of the back I must locate the subclavian arteries and intubate and inject them.  To embalm each side of the face, neck and scalp I must locate the carotid arteries and intubate and inject them.  

The problems with doing this are varied and extensive, too detailed for a blog, but safe to say it doesn't always work as we would hope.   Skills developed over many years still leave an embalmer sweating, trying to find teeny, tiny facial arteries to ensure the jaw and lips and tip of the nose receive adequate fluid.    All of this vessel searching means we lean right into the deceased, desperately trying to achieve good fluid distribution and adequate preservation.

So when my lady in chapel last week was visited by her husband and his opening words were 'What are you doing here, hey Georgina?'   and he completely let go to a relieved sobbing,  the frustration and hard work felt completely worth it.

Are you affected? Yet?

I hope my friend doesn't mind me using her as the subject of this update.   We had drinks on Saturday night and as she is a friend of a friend she wasn't aware of my career.   So it was all the usual questions and she said she would love to read my blog and chat with me more on Facebook.

She read my blog the following day and asked me a question which I don't think I have discussed much on here.

'I'm most curious as to whether what you do has changed how you feel about death and dying.

 Are you less scared of it yourself? Do you feel differently about the deaths of loved ones?'

I am lucky enough to have spent many years in meditation groups. They were also spiritual and self development groups which built on the basics I developed as a child as I was always involved in spiritual debate at home.  So I don't know if I would ever have had a traditional slant on death to be honest. My great great grandmother was a medium and her husband a herbalist. Its in the blood I guess!!!!

I lost a close friend at 16 and close uncle 8 years after that, then grandparents and older friends so with each loss came a general understanding that we return to the source when our time here is spent.  My friends first funeral ever was her fathers, how awful is that? Never experiencing a loss until it was one which would leave her so raw. Almost torturous. I am so very grateful of my life experiences in that way.

So,  I look at my deceased and know they are not here. This body is a car we drive until we move to another way of transport. The fact that we look after it whilst we drive it means that I will also look after it, so that people that knew the external features can wave it off if they so desire. But inside, that is our essence and our true self. I find it hard to see it as something final, so yes, I do think my work changes the way I view loss. But its about so much more than my job. When my dear uncle died, I remember looking up into the sky during his funeral, wondering where he was and if he had finally let go. He was very cross you see, and I know dying was a painful experience for him.   How we die is probably more of a fear for me, how people I love will die. Rather than the fact that I cant be with them on earth.


I would love to know if reading this blog has changed any of your positions on death, dying and funerals dear reader.  Please let me know.   Also, is there anything you would like me to discuss on here that we haven't touched on yet, or would like expanded?  

The first cut is the deepest

I recently got to thinking about the very first funeral I attended.  

My maternal great grandfather had suffered with lung cancer but I am not sure of his age when he finally passed.  Maybe he was in his early seventies or so.  I was 11 and my little sister was 8.  I know our ages for certain as it was my sisters 8th birthday.  Poor sis...    Often on a Saturday afternoon I went to our local football ground with Gramps and of late, he had been in a wheelchair so we got to stand pitch side and pass the ball back to the footballers (with their hunky chunky thighs, sorry I digress).   Gramps was always in a tie and hat, common in men who were brought up in the early part of the 20th Century.   A true cockney, he was always smart, immaculate, friendly and a gentleman.   He adored all the ladies in his life; his wife, daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughters. 

My mum, grandmother, sister and friend and I arrived in my nan's VW camper at Gramps' home in time to go to football.  We pulled up at their home to find an ambulance was parked out side.  My nan looked at my mum and said 'Oh Angela, no!'   I'll never forget the face she made and the fear in her voice.   It was my very first experience of anything remotely traumatic and has burned its way into my brain for always.    'Girls, stay in the van'.  They exited the van and dashed into the house.   After a short while, they returned, ashen, and told us that he had died.    I don't remember what they said, or how they said it.   The facts were that he was visiting the toilet to make ready to leave with us for football and he just died.   My great grandmother, Nancy, found him and called the ambulance. 

We all went back into the house and I remember walking past the toilet and feeling so sad.  I was probably crying, I cry at everything and if memory serves, I cried constantly at his death.   We went into the lounge and I marvelled at seeing his hat, a titfer, and leather gloves placed neatly on the sofa, ready for him to put on for football.   Nancy was very kind to my sister and I but I can't remember what she said.  

Gramps left his home in a wooden coffin placed in a hearse as that was how people were removed from home in those days.    I think I prefer it to the nowadays option of a stretcher and a van.

My parents asked my sister and I if we wanted to attend his funeral which was nearly a fortnight later because of the Easter holidays, and we decided that we would like to attend.   Gramps' coffin was covered in purple material.  I kid you not.   Like a quilt, purple and itchy looking with a cross cross diamond pattern.    I remember Nancy telling me that I wasn't to cry unless I saw her cry but that did me no good whatsoever and I sobbed constantly despite me trying to focus on her and her lace hanky she was wrining. 

My paternal grandmother took charge of me and told my folks she would wait at the back of the chapel with me but by the time we went to take our place, the chapel was full and they started filling in the places to the side of the coffin!   Can you believe it?!  Right at the front, next to Gramps in his purple quilted coffin!  For me to sob and sob and sob some more, right at the front!

In front of everyone!

Just a quick hi!

Cor, it's really chilly today, proper frosty.  Winter at last has arrived it seems.

I have been a little slower at work, it's quite nice to have a day off during the week every now and then.  As a self employed embalmer, that doesn't pay the bills though.  

I have had three people contact me in this week alone, to ask about watching me work because they might like to become an embalmer.  I explain that unless they are already on the embalming course, are a nurse or have a job in another relevant career, they are not allowed into my theatre.  This of course goes down like a tonne of lead.   I understand their annoyance.  I mean, how are you supposed to know if it's right for you unless you can see it being done, in the flesh (scuse the expression)?
 
I advise them that their nearest college is the place to find that out and explain about the embalming courses, fees, experience and previous educational background that is needed.  Each college has their own acceptance levels so I won't detail it here but the list of BIE accredited tutors can be found by asking the BIE.  I also advise them that it's really hard to get a position as an embalmer, certainly more so in these times of high levels of unemployment.  It is equally as hard to find a placement to gain the necessary practical experience, to train as an embalmer. 

I enjoy showing my work to relevant professionals, nurses usually as part of their training, and doctors often ask about my work when they come to see other deceased clients as part of the chain of paperwork and certification requirements.   I won't have under 18 year olds in the theatre though, no matter how much they complain to their schools.   Having had plenty of adults faint on me, there's no way I am showing a teenager!

A collection of thoughts... is that a collective?

I have had a lovely week so far.  This included having tea and cake with some girlfriends I haven't seen in years.  As usual, with people I don't see often, I was asked a few questions about my profession.   The women are all intelligent and modern so they didn't ask stupid questions but it reminded me of how many myths and untruths are out there.   I am glad to be given the opportunity to clear things up and change opinions.  Also, I was pleased to be able to offer comfort where an unanswered question had been whizzing around her brain for a few years.

Not everyone is embalmed, it depends on the Funeral Directors.
The cremated remains of someone are only theirs and are not part of someone else.
The coffin is burned with the deceased.
Mouths are gently closed using a suture.
Eye caps are to ensure the eyes stay a natural shape.
Normal embalming is to promote a peaceful final goodbye in chapel.  Not to keep the deceased forever.
It is different to mummification.
Every organ is placed back in the deceased after a post mortem.  Those organs which have tissue samples kept by the pathologist for further investigation are also returned.  Usually within a few days.

Obviously there are going to be scenarios where the parameters above are moved, but generally correct.

There has been something awful in the press the last couple of days, I'm not posting the link as it is not something I want to promote.  I do want to say however, that in all my years of working in this profession, I have NEVER EVER EVER met anyone who doesn't treat with respect, each dead human body.  If someone has suffered a traumatic death, it leaves everyone within the company sad.  No one I have ever met or worked with has taken any joy or mirth from it.    If you read this awful story in the press, please don't believe for one second there are many people like him.  Truthfully, there really are not.

I have an embalming meeting on Sunday with my division of the British Institute of Embalmers.  It is lovely to get together with my friends and colleagues from three or more counties and chat about work and their families.  We meet three or four times a year and sometimes have lectures from relevant professionals such as Coroners or Forensic Odontologists.   Sometimes we meet in hospital labs for tours or, on occasion, breweries!

Until next time, my friends, you could do worse than to watch Departures.  A lovely Japanese film showing the dignity and care they offer the deceased.

Every picture tells a story.

Hi everyone, happy new year!  I do hope you have all enjoyed your festive celebrations and are looking forward to whatever the next 12 months throws at you!

I have been busy working between celebrations and I have also be enjoying some down time too.  My feet ache today as it's been a long day.

Today at work, I was looking at the elderly gentleman I was about to embalm and was thinking about blogging.  This gentleman looked as though he was expecting something.  Expectant.  Thats an odd word to describe someones final face.  Some people look very peaceful before I 'set their features' and some look like they are in pain.   It is horrid for me to say out loud, but they do.  I suppose that not every death is a peaceful 'letting go' and I suspect the mode of death dictates one's final face.   In this man's last breath I wonder if he was looking for his mother, wife or child to come and get him?  Or I wonder if he was greeted by his God, or if he was expecting something that never came?

This thought reminded me of a facebook/twitter/website I like called Thanatos Archive.  It is a collection of photographs of deceased persons.  To quote from their facebook group -

      "Located in Seattle, Washington, The Thanatos Archive houses an extensive collection of nineteenth  and early twentieth century postmortem, memorial, and mourning photography dating to the 1840s.

The online version of our archive, hosted at www.Thanatos.net since 2002, offers a searchable database of over 1300 scanned images (as of February 2011), with scans of new acquisitions being added on a regular basis."

 

 I have on occasion taken a photograph of a client for a family member, and indeed have photos of my own  grandfathers funeral and coffin (none of him in his coffin) which I have looked at from time to time.  I have mixed feelings of the 'death face' pictures but can see how they are collectable nowadays.

The Wellcome Trust had in 2008, a wonderful collection of photographs ( linky) which were taken by Walter Schels who is a portrait photographer.   Walter and his partner, journalist Beate Lakotta, visited people who were expected to die within a year or so, discussed their project and took their photo.  Walter and Beate were telephoned when the person died and they returned to take a photo of their final face. Each pair of portraits was displayed in the collection with a brief synopsis of the persons life and death story.  It was a very moving collection and certainly thought provoking.   I was lucky to be amongst a small gathering of people at the gallery when Walter and Beate were doing a Q & A on their project.   The deceaseds weren't embalmed before their picture was taken and very little was altered on their faces to ensure that the portrait photograph was indeed 'their final face'.