July 2021

Page A16 JULY 2021 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A By Wally Hooker, CFSP, MBIE At the last minute, I decided to change my approach to this month’s article. I just returned from La Crosse, WI where I had the privilege of presenting a couple of lec- tures at the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association’s an- nual convention. This was the second state convention I’ve attended in a few weeks and it is good to see large crowds of people attending in person again. People seem to be genuinely happy to be out again, without the en- cumbrance of masks and social distancing. While in Wisconsin, I had the pleasure of spending some time visiting and talking shop with Michael Shar- key, Esq./FD . Michael is a licensed funeral director and attorney specializing in mortuary law in Wisconsin and Minnesota. As I shared with Michael, after I had been on the lec- ture circuit for a few years, I began receiving calls from attorneys seeking an “expert embalming witness” for pending civil litigation. I’ve never considered myself an expert! The first few calls, I suggested they contact some- one with more experience and credentials; I just wasn’t interested. The third call sounded interesting, it was within driv- ing distance and the attorney representing the funeral home seemed to need someone ASAP. Plus, they were willing to compensate me very well. Without getting into specifics, I read the plaintiff’s interrogatories, and the overview from the plaintiff’s expert witness. It was blatantly apparent that someone had dropped the ball and the funeral home had shipped out a very poorly em- balmed/prepared body. Following a thorough review of all the information provided, I contacted the attorney, suggesting their best course of action would be to settle the suit before it went to court. I told him that in my opinion the body was not properly embalmed/prepared and I could not defend the results. The attorney jumped right back and said, “Mr. Hooker, I’m not interested in your opinion, I want you to use your knowledge and expertise to convince a jury otherwise.” I replied, “You’ve got the wrong guy, I can’t and won’t do that.” He came right back and said, “Do you have any idea how much money you can make be- ing an expert witness?” I told him it really didn’t matter, I wasn’t interested. He abruptly ended our conversation. The point of this narrative is a reminder of how in- a frenulum – a small delicate trian- gular shaped tissue between the lips and gums. (Fig. 2) With a sharp scalpel this tissue can be released/incised, which will give you nearly 3/8” on the top lip and nearly 1/4” on the bottom. This should give you enough addition- al tissue to create a natural looking closure. (Fig. 3) When using this procedure, al- ways make sure you cauterize the in- cised tissue with a strong cauterizing agent, to dry the area and prevent leakage. (Fig. 4) Gently manipulate the upper and lower lip together, to ensure you have enough tissue re- leased for normal lip closure. If you need just a little more tissue released to bring the lips together, you can go to the lower inside lip/lower jaw line and incise 3”, from side to side. (Fig. 5) Again, be sure to cauterize any incising you do. With the additional tissue released, I use a viscous material (in this case I used K Lip) with great surface ten- sion to hold the lips together. For added measure I used Webril cotton saturated with a humectant gently tamped over the lips to hold them together during embalming. Employing a RCI (restrict- ed cervical injection), I injected the head first and used 8 ounces of humectant along with arterial solution, to help plump up the lips. If you go the extra mile and use due diligence, things go well and you can expect great results. (Fig. 6) It just takes effort! Next month: a couple more case studies on day-to-day restorative subjects. Stay safe out there! competence and being irresponsible can land you in a lawsuit that could cost you big in money and reputation. Incompetence indicates you are not qualified to act in a particular capacity, nor have the necessary education or skills to do something legally or successfully. Being irre- sponsible is having the training/knowledge and knowing what to do, but not doing so. Both can potentially get you in hot water. Many will take any opportunity to file a lawsuit, if they can find an attorney willing to take their case. You must be diligent and mindful every day to do things right! The case study that follows addresses malocclusion (over- bite, buck tooth) and prognathism (underbite). It is im- portant to include language in your embalming authorization that al- lows reconstructive efforts beyond the norm, in an attempt to recreate accept- able results for open casket viewing. The first photo (Fig. 1) is a side view of a significant overbite. I have seen and heard of practitioners actually re- moving the two front teeth in an at- tempt close the lips. In my opinion, this is an incompetent and irresponsible practice. Not only is it barbaric, it’s disre- spectful to the deceased. By removing the two front teeth, you create another problem – a flattened area over the up- per lip where the teeth were – plus potential litigation if the family finds out! Could the lips in (Fig. 1) be glued together and hold after proper closure of the mouth? More than likely yes. But with such a significant overbite, gravity will attempt to pull the lips apart, you will lose the natural radius, and end up with flat lips. As we’ve discussed previously, it’s the details that make all the difference! It’s important to converse with the family on matters such as this. Would they prefer for the two teeth to be ex- posed? If so, it is not a big issue to close the mouth in a natural manner and leave the teeth showing during em- balming. If they are to be left in this manner, simply cov- er them with clear nail polish before the visitation. If they prefer the teeth to not show, there is a simple procedure that will release tissue and give you just enough upper lip and lower lip to create a natural looking clo- sure. Midline in the upper gum line and lower gum line is FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.nomispublications.com Monthly Columns online at Wallace P. (Wally) Hooker CFSP, MBIE, is the owner, funeral direc - tor and embalmer of Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, IN. He and his wife, Janet designed, established and built their funeral home in 2004. Wally is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, where he serves on the Advisory Board. He is Past President of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and board member of North American Division of the British Institute of Embalmers. In ad - dition, he has served as chief deputy coroner/investigator of Fountain County, IN for the last 24 years. Embalming 101 Restorative Tips & Techniques (continued) Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Scan QR for our website 1-888-792-9315 • mymortuarycooler.com Mortuary Coolers starting at $4,499 Price increase coming in September! are (L to R) Stephen Mayfield, Jo and Larry Sanders, John Muster, John “JR” Rabold, Jeremy Ledford, Kevin J Scott, Phillip and Lee Ann Cunningham. The 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 pictured be- longs to Larry Sanders, owner of Alexan- der & Royalty Funeral Home in Har- rodsburg. The Professional Car Society’s 44th An- nual International Meet will be staged June 28th through Saturday, July 3 rd at the Mohican State Lodge in Perrysville, OH. PCS Volunteer & Blue Grass Chapter Hold 2021 Meet CALHOUN,KY— The Professional Car Society Volunteer & Blue Grass Chapter Meet was held May 14-16, 2021 in Ow- ensboro, KY. During the meet attendees were treat- ed to a tour of Muster Coach Company by own- er, John Muster. Pictured Digital Directory Now Available Download instantly at www.nomispublications.com Save on Shipping!