September 2020

Page A16 SEPTEMBER 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A By Wally Hooker, CFSP, MBIE Most professionals who know me – or of me – under- stand my passion for top notch embalming, quality body presentation and going the extra mile as we prepare the dead for open casket services. Further, they know my dis- dain for poor quality embalming and body prep…it is that type of embalmer/practitioner who is making us all look bad! I staunchly believe this is a very integral ingredient in the consumer shying away from ‘body present services’. I have great regard for passionate embalmers/funeral di- rectors and talented ‘trade embalmers’. I am in a unique position…I own a funeral home my wife and I established and built. I spend a great deal of my time in the embalm- ing room (I also do trade embalming at my place). I work the door during visitations and funerals and I listen to peo- ple who want to talk. What I hear is not a glowing com- mentary of funeral service today. Often, family members and friends travel to our funeral home for services and many times, the visitors will com- pliment us on how their loved one or friend appeared in the casket. How natural they looked or how ‘at peace’ they looked! (I am not boasting, just illustrating the conversa- tion). Then they begin to share horror stories from their communities or other funeral homes they have been in, on how dreadful bodies look! Invariably, the comments come: “They aren’t going to do that to me! I don’t want my family to see me looking like that! I’m going to be cremated!” So where have we gone astray? The body is the cornerstone of funeral service, but somewhere along the way, we’ve gotten off track. Perhaps we need ‘Embalming 101’ worse than we need topics on ‘growing your pre-need’, or ‘make more money with cremation’, or ‘let’s not use the words dead or hearse’ or any number of topics. Since this is my first article, I think it’s appropriate to start at the beginning and review the basics of body prepa- ration. It begins with the initial ‘case analysis’. Observe the body and let it ‘tell you its story’ before you plan your em- balming approach. The time of death, the cause/manner of death, the physical extenuating circumstances should all be them prior to embalming, give attention to keep the eye- lashes in position…not matted to the skin not unaligned. Gently brush them clean and straighten the eyelashes pri- or to injection. The position the eyelashes are in during embalming is the position they will remain! It’s the little details that make all the difference! Whatever method you prefer to close the mouth, pay close attention to the lips, and have a natural appearing clo- sure – not so tight as to create a pucker or so loose that steps must be taken post embalming to bring the lips together. I suggest not using any kind of adhesives on un-em- balmed tissue to set the features. Too many problems can occur during an embalming that could require post em- balming attention to overcome. ‘Super glue’ type adhe- sives on un-embalmed tissue can tear the tissue if it pulls away, much easier than embalmed tissue will. If I have a slight gap of the lips following embalming, I use a diabetic syringe/needle to ‘plump’ the lips with a humectant, rath- er than using adhesives. Plumping the lips leaves a more natural appearance and does not leave unsightly white res- idue from the adhesive to overcome. Remember, it’s the little things that add up to big things. Next month we will discuss the embalming process… choosing injection sites, pressure, rate of flow, pre-injec- tion, chemical selection, drainage issues, and overcoming common issues. Until then, stay safe out there! considered as you put together your plan of attack. Second- ary to the ‘pre-case analysis’ in achieving successful results, is a thorough understanding of the chemicals on hand. Study them, understand their uses, what they are to be used for, what the intended results should be. Today’s chemicals are formulated for the specific challenges we face daily. Hopefully none of us are still using the same solution for every embalm- ing, or cutting corners with how much you use! Start with the all-important bathing and initial disinfection of the body. Successful and quality embalming begins with placing the body in a natural and comfortable appearing po- sition. Make sure the shoulders aren’t ‘shrugged’ or ‘droop- ing’, bring elbows close to the abdomen, the hands in a natu- ral position for your particular region. WrapWebril cotton or smooth paper toweling around fingers, to hold them together and in place during the embalming. Ensure the head is not tilted too far back or too far forward and tilted slightly to the right, also use cotton behind the earlobe to reposition them. The most important procedure prior to the arterial embalm- ing is the proper positioning of the facial features. I have often spent more time on positioning the facial features on chal- lenging bodies than the actual arterial injection! This is what can ‘make or break’ great looking bodies. We must go back to our mortuary college days and remember the ‘cannon of beauty,’ which is ‘a mathematical, harmonious and propor- tional relationship that should be pleasing to the eye’. The Rule of Thirds (radius of chin to bottom of nose, bottom of nose to center of eyebrows, center of eyebrows to front hair- line) should be followed with very few exceptions. This is ap- propriate for the ‘normal case’ as well as a guide for recon- structive efforts. The same would apply for the Rule of Fives as the face is five eye-widths wide. These dimensions will nev- er fail you if you observe them and follow them. Eye closure is all-important! The lower lid should cover only the lower third of the eyeball, while the upper lid should cov- er the upper 2/3 of the eyeball. Pay close attention to the in- ner canthus and make sure you take proper steps to close it. Whether you use eye caps or cotton with humectant to secure 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 designed, established and built their funer- al 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 addition, he has served as chief deputy coroner/ investigator of Fountain County, IN for the last 24 years. Wally does a significant amount of trade embalming from his fu- neral home. He is routinely called on by other funeral directors for technical consultation, or to assist with problem cases, restorative work, and family members. Wally has a passion and reputation for quality, no-nonsense embalming and facial reconstruction. As an in demand lecturer, Wally has shared his professional knowledge and experience at international, and regional conventions and meet- ings in the US and Canada, as well as mortuary colleges. Wally and his wife Janet, live on their family farm and have two adult children and four grandchildren. In his spare time Wally en- joys his collection of vintage farm tractors and equipment. Embalming 101 It Starts in the Beginning! Funeral Supply Store 1-800-392-2936 • www.funeralsupplystore.com Scissor Lift $5,395 FREE SHIPPING! 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