Working with Dead People

Larianne

I just saw an advertisement there for a trainee Embalmer. I have thought about maybe doing that before. I'm interested in anatomy etc. but never got the points to do any medical/physiology course.

The problem is, I'm not sure though to how I would react with seeing a dead person. And then having to touch them etc. I'm a rather tactful and caring person so if I had to deal with the public I think I'd be good at that end.

Be a good profession to get into since, ya know, everyone dies.

Just wondered if anyone was or know of an embalmer/mortician and whether they like it or not. Did they have to get used to the job etc.

WhiteWashMan

what an interesting position!

at least youd never be made unemployed

i hear people are dying to get in there...
(sorry, it had to be said)

L5

what an odd job to do

Larianne

Odd job? Well not really... Embalming has ben happening for centuries. Think of the mummies in Egypt! I still dunno whether to go for it. I'm sure the funeral directors know themselves what type of person is suited to the role. One good thing about it, your customer can't talk back to you! I hate that!!

Victor

The problem is, I'm not sure though to how I would react with seeing a dead person. And then having to touch them etc.

... and clean up their bodily fluids? :eek:

I'm a rather tactful and caring person

This is only needed with some of the clients.

I am MAN

Where can this ad be found?

seamus

Wow, I'd say they dread putting out those ads. The extra amount of weirdos you'd get applying for that one...

DonkeyStyle \o/

I'm creeped out just reading this thread, I think it's safe to say I wouldn't work with the dead.
Although anyone I've ever talked to who's met a mortician has always reported they had some funny stories to tell... air escaping and weird nerve reactions or whatever.
I think to work somewhere like that, you'd have to have settled all your issues with death in general... I still haven't... I refuse to die... death? nope, not for me.

aphex™

Interesting to see someone thinking of going into that sort of area.

One thing to note, is that its probably not just a matter of switching on the pump and going to read the newspaper, you might have to do things like face reconstruction etc.. would you be up for that?

Not everybody dies in their sleep...

Larianne

aphex&#8482 wrote:

Interesting to see someone thinking of going into that sort of area.

One thing to note, is that its probably not just a matter of switching on the pump and going to read the newspaper, you might have to do things like face reconstruction etc.. would you be up for that?

Not everybody dies in their sleep...

Yes that is why I am interested in doing it! I did a make-up course and love modeling making and prosthetics. So I suppose, with a car accident victim, i would be re-sculpting their face, then applying corrective make-up.

I suppose I could just apply for the job and ask the funeral people about it. As I'm sure most people don't grow up thinking they want to be an embalmer!! I'd see each client/body as a challenage. I ain't some freak or anything like that.. although I can see why people might think so. But I'm sure it's very satisfying to do a good job and then the family being happy with it, if they had to identify an mangled body etc.

Okay, this is getting a bit strange. Anyways, still waiting on an embalmer to respond....

0utshined

Hi Larianne,

I'm not an embalmer but I worked in a hospital before and had to spend a lot of time in the morgue so I might be able to answer some of your questions.

Larianne wrote:

Just wondered if anyone was or know of an embalmer/mortician and whether they like it or not.

I met a few and saw them work a few times. :eek: They seemed happy enough, cracked a few jokes. Really just normal people, an unusual job but that was it.

Larianne wrote:

Did they have to get used to the job etc.?

I think you know the answer to this! It's a bit strange at the start but you adapt pretty quick. It's probably not for everyone but you'd surprise yourself with what you can get used to.

If you've got more questions just shoot.













I really should change my signature.........

Larianne

Thanks Outshined!!

I feel a bit of a freak but it is a job,someones gotta do it. I think my main worry is seeing and touching dead bodies on a regular basis and then what emotional strain it might have on me. But people such as Doctors, Nurses, gardai come across dead bodies all the time so it not as odd as people may think.

i think i would look at it like an assignment that needs to be done. I presume the family give the embalmer/funeral a picture of the deceased and then you gotta match it up as close as possible and all that.

do you know of many girls that do it though. I'm guessing its more of a male profession dud to heavy lifting. That may be a problem for me. can't see myself lifting a 20 stone man/woman.

Yeah so my main concern is really if I could cope with touching dead people everyday and if there's an emotional strain because of the job.

Larianne

Imagine a guy asking what I did (if I decide to apply)

What do you do?

I see dead people

What???!!

All the time!

Ok, a crap joke but slightly better than the last one.

WhiteWashMan

was not..

0utshined

Yeah, I met a couple of girls that did it. You sound interested in it so try it for a few weeks. You'll more than likely get used to it.

the_syco

The thing you'll have to get used to is them farting. It escapes somewhere, no doubt. Billy Connolly had a sketch about it (dead people shaking when farting).