In the essay, “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain” by English author and civil rights activist Jessica Mitford, she offers a peculiar narrative through her critique of the thoughts surrounding the funeral industry and the issue of death. It is clear her ultimate goal is to share many of the common practices of the funeral industry to her readers, and display how seemingly barbaric and often times senseless they are. Mitford’s purpose in this passage is to convey that if more people actually understood these practices exercised in the funeral industry, they might change, and the mystery of what goes on behind these taboo doors would be out in the open for the general public to understand and acknowledge. Mitford introduces her essay with a discussion…
They control pain and other symptoms so the person may remain as alert and comfortable as possible. They also support the family after the bereavement.…
The poor in Elizabethan time would use the casket previously used by another poor family, but the wealthy would have their very own caskets (Forgery 70). At the burial, the corpse would be removed from the casket and placed into the grave . If it was a Suicides the corps would not be buried at the church or any “hallowed ground” . Also next to the grave they would light candles because it was believed to help the soul find its path (Secara).…
The second category is those cadavers that are donated by their families because they wanted to be donated to science but did not fill out the proper paperwork. The last group is those who plan ahead and have special permission to have their body donated to the Body Farm when they die. Walking through the farm gives you a strange feeling inside. Knowing you are surrounded by death, Goosebumps pop out of your body. Lying in the brush is a body that was stabbed several times with a large sharp object. This cadaver will be examined everyday for roughly 6-8 months. One corpse that was in the burn category made my bones shiver. This cadaver was burned alive in the trunk of a car. So the University had the police bring the entire crime scene to the body farm. The skin reminded me of chicken left on the grill to long. If it wasn't for forensic anthropologist researchers, and their strong stomachs, many criminals would be walking free today. This line of work is helpful in many ways in today's society. The questions that might be asked include: Was this individual male or female? How old were they when they died? How tall were they? Were the people studied in good or poor general health? Forensic anthropology involves the application of these same methods to modern cases of unidentified human remains. Through the established methods, a forensic anthropologist can aid law enforcement in establishing a profile on the unidentified remains. The profile includes sex, age, ethnicity, height, length of time since death, and sometimes the evaluation of trauma seen on…
By reading Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach, one can learn the many different uses for cadavers, shells of what used to be people. Mainly Roach discusses the multiple scientific uses for them and also how they have influenced advancement in different fields of study. The novel also discusses the decay of these bodies. It does not take long for these bodies to decay and many people attempt to delay this process with techniques such as embalming and burying them in coffins. But what is event the point of these processes if time is simply going to tear apart the bodies anyway. The main idea behind these ongoing practices stems from religious tradition as a form of respect and also to aid in the use of scientific research as it is somewhat difficult to study a body if it deteriorates quickly.…
Estate planning allow people to put their wishes into a legally binding form. It helps avoid problems that often arise after someone passes away. It helps those who are left behind to know what their loved one wanted. It avoids getting the courts involved with end of life and probate decisions.…
Jessica Mitford, the author, describes in this essay the process corpses go through while at the funeral parlor. Her word choice is strong, taking you visually, step by step, through that process. She uses vivid imagery, describing scenes in detail so you can picture it as if you were there.…
In legal cases involving a dead body that has died of unnatural causes, such as homocide or suicide, a forensic pathologist, also known as a medical examiner is called in. The medical examiner's main job is to perform an autopsy on the victim of any unnatural form of death. Many forensic pathologists also have been trained in the legal process of investigation on top of their medical training because they can be called to court as expert witnesses during a case. Possible job locations could vary for a medical examiner. They are needed in both state, local, and federal governments, as well as in hospitals, universities, and police departments.They spend time in the lab, on the crime scene, or in court as expert witnesses.…
1. Albany Conference- a 1754 meeting, held in Albany, NY, between the British and leaders of the Iroquois Confederacy.…
By eliminating the dangerous chemicals involved in embalming, they help keep them from seeping into the soil. And by choosing biodegradable coffins, they help keep coffin waste from just sitting in the ground forever.…
Many families think that when they choose cremation, then there is no way they can hold a memorial service, funeral, or even remembrance service. There are new options available to you which make it easier to bring cremation and ceremony together. The funeral directors can provide you with a rental casket for your loved one, so that family members and friends can benefit from attending a visitation and a funeral prior to the cremation.…
Cremations, on the other hand, involve burning the body, and preserving the ashes in an urn. Some people opt for a decorative urn which they can keep in their household, providing a comforting sense that their loved one is still with them in a way. Others, often in accordance with the wishes of the person being put to rest, may choose an urn designed for scattering their ashes over an area of particular importance.…
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around” (Leo Buscaglia). What is your immediate reaction when funeral director is said? Do you picture the grim reaper? Do you shudder? Most people do. Funeral director is a profession often looked over. This is a profession that deals with hard business. They must prepare bodies, plan funerals, and comfort grieving families. The problem with funeral directors is that the side of their profession that gets noticed is the preparing bodies part when they truly do some much more. As said before many funeral directors are also certified grief counselors. This means that they are trained to get you through this hard time. Many people have said that the only reason they got through their…
Resomation is an alternative to cremation that helps the funeral industry and cuts down mercury emissions. The new technique of disposing a corpse is still not welcomed into potential clients mind frame do to the lack of information on the left over liquid once resomation is completed. I propose more research to be done on the liquid left behind and that the data collected to be shared with the general public. The research will be conducted within two years and six months with the result being a press release of our findings. I am asking for 1,388,800 dollars to fund this research and two years and six months to complete the project. With our findings clientele will be more aware of resomation and the components of the liquid that remains after completion.…
Most of their daily activities revolve around the medical examiner/coroner. They help during the autopsies and help collect information and evidence of the autopsy for the report. In addition to having to move them in and out of cold storage for the autopsies procedure, they have the job of cleaning and sterilizing the equipment that is used in the autopsy procedure. Likewise the Morgue assistant has the responsibility of transporting the deceased from the death scene to the morgue.…