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'.