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
Monday, 7 May 2012
Sunday, 6 May 2012
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!
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!
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