As Halloween approaches and the fall decor goes up, we find ourselves surrounded by pumpkins, scary movies and mountains of candy.
'Tis the season to be spooked -- but consider the fact that some people, like those who work in the funeral home industry, are surrounded by dead people every day.
Author’s note: Being a kid who grew up in a mortuary family, I spent many hours inside a funeral home and on the road as my family did a job that most people likely would avoid. For those of you who haven’t set foot in a funeral home or prefer to avoid the buildings altogether, here are 10 facts you might not know.
1. Hair and fingernails do not continue to grow after someone dies.
2. Dead bodies do NOT sit up. We know some of you were wondering.
3. The term "pallbearer" was originally a ceremonial position. In the early days, “pall bearers” carried a tip of the pall (a large white cloth over the casket) or a cord attached to it. Currently, a pallbearer is one of several participants who help carry the casket at a funeral.
4. Embalming, which is the temporary preservation of the body, is only required when there will be a viewing or visitation, so the public is not exposed to disease or any biohazards. People who are directly buried or cremated are not embalmed. While nothing will prevent the gradual decomposition of a body over time, embalming the body will delay the process.
5. Bodies that are in caskets are not stored in refrigerators overnight. Why? Embalmed bodies do not quickly decompose, so there's no need to keep them on ice.
6. Eyes and lips are not sewn or glued shut. During the embalming process, an "eye cap" is placed under each eyelid and over the eyeball. The eyes themselves may soften a little over time, but the eye cap helps to retain the shape of the eye. A Vaseline-like cream is placed on the lips to keep them together.
7. In the Islamic culture, not only are bodies not embalmed, but the casket is opened at the cemetery and dirt is shoveled onto the body to help it return to the earth quicker.
8. What if you “wake up” after dying? People feared that, at one point -- so much so that several centuries ago, morticians tied a string around the finger of a dead body that connected to a bell above the grave. The bell could be rung if the person came back to life. Needless to say, the bell never chimed; except on a windy day.
9. During cremation, the body cannot have any medical devices that contain a battery, for example, a Pacemaker. These items explode like a grenade during the cremation process and need to be removed.
10. There is tasteful humor at the funeral home. People say the most innocent, funny things. While writing an obituary, one funeral director asked:
“Do you have any grandchildren?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.
“Do you have any great-grandchildren?” he asked.
“No, they’re all pretty equal,” she answered.
Do you have any spooky funeral home stories to share? Leave them in the comments below.
As someone deeply entrenched in the funeral home industry, my firsthand experience and expertise stem from a unique perspective – that of a person who grew up in a mortuary family. My childhood was spent immersed in the atmosphere of funeral homes, gaining insights that many would prefer to avoid. These 10 facts about funeral homes reflect not just my knowledge but the intimate familiarity I have with the subject matter.
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Hair and fingernails do not continue to grow after death: This common misconception is debunked by the fact that post-mortem, there is no biological process to support the continued growth of hair and fingernails. It's a biological myth dispelled by the realities of decomposition.
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Dead bodies do NOT sit up: Contrary to popular belief or perhaps fueled by Hollywood portrayals, deceased individuals do not sit up after death. The human body lacks the muscular control required for such movements, even post-mortem.
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Origin of the term "pallbearer" and its evolution: Understanding the historical context, the term "pallbearer" finds its roots in a ceremonial role. Originally, pall bearers carried a tip of the pall or a cord attached to it. Today, they play a crucial role in carrying the casket during a funeral.
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Embalming and its purpose: Embalming, a temporary preservation method, is dispensed when a viewing or visitation is planned. This procedure not only preserves the body temporarily but also safeguards the public from potential biohazards.
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Storage of bodies in caskets and refrigeration: Embalmed bodies, contrary to popular belief, do not require refrigeration overnight. The embalming process significantly slows down the decomposition, making refrigeration unnecessary.
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Myths about eyes and lips closure: Dispelling myths, eyes and lips are not sewn or glued shut. Instead, an "eye cap" is used during embalming, and a Vaseline-like cream is applied to the lips to maintain their appearance.
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Islamic burial practices: In the Islamic culture, embalming is not performed. Additionally, the casket is opened at the cemetery, and soil is shoveled onto the body to facilitate a quicker return to the earth.
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Historical fear of waking up after death: Centuries ago, the fear of premature burial led to the practice of tying a string around the finger of a deceased person, connected to a bell above the grave. This macabre safety measure, however, proved unnecessary.
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Medical devices and cremation: During cremation, the body cannot contain certain medical devices, such as pacemakers, which could explode like grenades. These devices must be removed prior to the cremation process.
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Humor in the funeral home: Contrary to the solemn atmosphere associated with funeral homes, there is often a place for tasteful humor. Even in the somber task of writing an obituary, humorous moments can arise, reflecting the resilience of the human spirit in facing life and death.
Feel free to share your spooky funeral home stories in the comments below.
