Sunday, November 1, 2009
Embalming--Early 1900s Style
If you're ever in Weatherford, OK, check out this undertaker's diorama at the Heartland of America Museum (get it? Die-o-rama?). It's a phenomenal small town museum which is HUGE and VERY detailed. I enjoyed pondering the use of the medical instruments. No. I did not. And I now want a coffin with a window, just like I want an office on campus with one.
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9 comments:
Interesting post. I toured the embalming room of a local funeral home and saw a video of exactly how modern embalming is done. I immediately made the decision to be cremated. No trocar for me!
My friend Anne says she is not going to be embalmed, just 'drained' as she put it and put away quickly after family viewing of her remains, which are going to be fairly pale, I'm sure, without the undertaker's art.
EeeeeEEEEWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Between your post and Nell Jean's comment, I'm ready to take off for Pluto. Then again, did you ever see "Kagemusha," where the Shogun was pickled in a huge jar? Thinking of all the ways humanity has dealt with its dead through history, I can't come up with a single one that's good. But I guess a massive pyramid (with the body buried discreetly nearby so it won't be pillaged) is a start...
I like the idea of the Native American burial platforms where you just sort of wither away with the occasional plucking of crows.
I would just like to donate my whole body to science when I leave this mortal coil. Easier that way.
Ugh. You all disgust me. Gross gross gross. I'm sorry for even bringing up the the subject. :)
I don't think anyone needs to see me in a casket. If they want to see me, they should come soner rather than later. But I do want a headstone. A big one. With flashing lights. And dancers.
And have one of those pictures of yourself on the headstone, one of those shiny oval ones that look like they were taken only yesterday - and a big alabaster hand on the top of the headstone, pointing up to the sky - and if you do the lighting right, you can add a light to shine upward (one of those huge spotlight things) as if it's shining up to your very own spot in heaven.
(Okay, I'll stop now).
As for the embalming lab, it looks alot like the Microbial Lab...how interesting!
:)
Pam--Yer full of good ideas...
Worm food. Bury me in the ground and let the worms turn me into compost!
(But if I was going to go out in a more dramatic fashion... I would totally choose a Viking-style sea burial. No need to make any sacrifices, though, just put me on a raft with lots of kindling, push me out to see, and fire a few flaming arrows to get me started.)
Cool post. I worked in a funeral home for over 8 years. It was very interesting. Have always had an interest in the history of the business. It certainly has evolved!
Great post!
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