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JULY 2014
FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS
S ec t i on A
STYLISH MATCHING TIES
FOR PROFESSIONALS
ANY SIZE GROUP OR ORGANIZATION
Phone: 877-770-TIES (8437)
Fax: 276-466-3474
E-mail: customerservice@tiesforyou.com
John A. Chew is a Funeral Service Education Specialist, Consul-
tant, Tutor, Thanatogeneticist, and a Licensed Funeral Director and
Embalmer. He is a retired former Associate Professor and Director
of Funeral Service Education at Miami Dade Community College as
well as the Institute for Funeral Service Education and Anatomy at
Lynn University (1967-1997). He is presently Director of Education
at Embalmers Supply Company, Recinto De Ciecias, Medicic, UPR,
ESCO/OMEGA, and the Academy of Restoration and Embalming.
By John A. Chew
ET–20 will cover the autopsy, also known as necropsy
or thanotopsy, a postmortem examination performed to
confirm or determine the cause of death. Performed by a
pathologist, it is a meticulous study of the body by surgi-
cal dissection after death. The cells, tissues and organs are
visualized and studied by their appearance microscopically
and macroscopically to identify any predisposing and im-
mediate causes of death.
Samples of tissues and body fluids are used for laboratory
analysis and to determine the extent of the disease process
or toxicology testing. At one time, the autopsy was a part
of the accreditation process for training/teaching hospitals.
Rationale:
• P.M. examinations increase knowledge and high qual-
ity medical practices
• P.M. confirms medical diagnoses for death certificate
• P.M. supports medical research
• P.M. supports public health and the care of the liv-
ing patient
• P.M. determination of possible criminal act causing
the death
• P.M. adds to the preparation time of the body
• P.M. examinations benefit the practitioner in specific
causes of death
Embalming
Technologies
(Part 20)
doctor would have some idea of the predisposing condi-
tions which led to death. Embalmers may only have com-
mon sense as their guide.
Street clothes with an apron and gloves are not prop-
er protective clothing while working in the preparation
room. Guidelines to standard operation procedures must
be in writing.
The body lying on the preparation table continues to
require us to have consideration, dignity and respect. To
handle the body gently and compassionately is the mark
of a professional. The genital region should be covered at
all times unless a procedure such as examining, washing,
packing of the rectum or vagina, or tying of the penis ne-
cessitates exposure.
There must be no eating or smoking in the preparation
room at any time. Doing so provides a medium for cross
contamination (fingers) of hepatitis, tissue gas organisms
and staph infections.
The preparation should be private, only licensed person-
nel should be admitted during any procedure.
A preparation room should be in the order of a hospital
operating room, designed to provide a clean, safe working
environment. Air exchange should be a minimum of 12
times pe r hour.
ET–21 will continue with the autopsy and will cover au-
topsy procedures.
Permission for an autopsy is the responsibility of the hos-
pital personnel. The embalmer/funeral director is not part of
the family’s decision process nor should be negative toward
the process.
Any involvement on the part of the decision may make you
liable for damages. It’s the responsibility of the hospital/medi-
cal examiner or coroner to verify the authorization prior to
the release of the body.
The autopsy permission must come from the next of kin,
husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter, or indi-
vidual responsible for final disposition. The same holds true
with the donor program. Review the laws concerning permis-
sion for autopsy or organ donation.
The coroner or medical examiner has the jurisdiction in all
medicolegal situations and may authorize an autopsy.
•
The embalmer should be aware of those situations
which may require an autopsy:
• Natural deaths where individuals were not attended by
private physician in home or home
• Newborn children within the first 24 hours after birth
• Predisposing and intermediate injuries
• Unknown causes of death
• Suspicious deaths
• Abortions
• Violent deaths – stab wounds, burns, electricity, shoot-
ings, and lightning
• Accidental deaths – drowning, strangulation (hanging)
• Sudden deaths
• Homicides
• Suicides
• Poisoning
• Stillborn
• Premature infants
An autopsy may be conducted in the preparation room
within the funeral establishment. This is at the discretion of
the pathologist. This may be a support function of the local
funeral home when other facilities are not available.
If this option is utilized by the pathologist you must require
universal precautions in your facility. Prior to the autopsy the
(L to R) Capt. BradWhite and Capt. Ken Shortridge Kick off burial
at sea efforts in San Diego Bay showcasing the eight-bell end of
watch burgee flag used on each and every at sea event.
New England Burials at Sea LLC and Ashes on the
Sea Commence operations in San Diego with a
Sunset Bay Kickoff Cruise
NEBAS recently exhibited at Boston’s AARP Spring 2014
Life@50+ event May, 8-10, 2014. Capt. BradWhite said that their
participation was tremendously successful.
MARSHFIELD,MA—
New England Burial at Sea LLC
(NEBAS) had a 2014 kickoff sunset cruise event in San
Diego Bay this past May 28, 2014 with over 25 local fu-
neral directors who signed up to attend.
NEBAS continues to expand its brand across the USA
and is now offering affordable, individualized and per-
sonal Full Body Burials at sea on the West Coast in part-
nership with
Ashes on The Sea
(AOTS).
NEBAS is the best known company in the U.S. for full
body sea burials and is expanding into the west coast with
AOTS working und
Both companies use only properly insured and current
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) licensed captains and vessels
who have been Sea Burial Certified™ by NEBAS.
“The joint venture was introduced with great success
with many funeral directors attending and enjoying the
bay cruise that was deliciously catered complete with
open bar. My visit to some of the 80+ funeral homes in
the San Diego market was a rewarding experience,” said
NEBAS founder Capt. Brad White.
White added, “Teaming up with ATOS allows us both
to use over 31 boats now available to us from San Diego
to San Francisco so a family does not have to travel more
than an hour to find a departure port. San Diego is a per-
fect place to start.”