Preparing Severely Decomposed Bodies for a Viewing
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- čas přidán 9. 05. 2024
- HARD. CORE. EMBALMERS.
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My grandmother died in a fire. Her face was burned and, from what I was told, she didn't have a nose. This was way back in the 1960s when my Dad would have been told no viewing. However, the mortician was acquainted with the family and wanted to try. He told my Dad to bring in as many pictures of her from several angles if he could. My parents went in to decide if she could be shown, leaving us in the car. I was 6 at the time. They came back out and brought us in. She looked beautiful, just the way I had always seen her. The mortician could have made a living as a sculptor. I am so grateful that I got to say goodbye to my grandmother.
Wow, that's amazing. It's terrible what happened to your grandmother, but that mortician really went the extra mile to help your family say goodbye
I'm so sorry for you're lost of your grandmother. My deepest condolences.
That is very amazing and kind that he made her beautiful.
This is so wonderful. Everyone deserves to have that goodbye to their loved ones if it’s possible
This made me want to cry 🥺 wholesome af. I’m sorry about your grandmother, but I’m glad you had a mortician that really cared so you got that closure
What an amazing mortician.
The diamonds on Monica’s lashes.... iconic
Oooo I thought it was gold leaf
They are amazing!
I was wondering what that was, thank you.
I was trying to figure out what that was, at 1st I thought she didn't get close enough to her lash line with her eyeliner 😆
I love it, her and Caitlin are so pretty.
This is definitely NOT a dark art, but a gift to the grieving.
It's not really a gift but I get what ur saying. They charge for every lil thing.
@@kristencalifra6421Not all gifts are free. These people need to make a living, too.
@@kristencalifra6421 it is a gift imo. They are helping the grieving by making sure their loved ones look their very best before they will be buried, never to be seen again. It’s an art form really because it takes a lot to sculpt a body that has been deceased/decomposed. Everyone has to be make money to live so I wouldn’t fault them for charging since we need money to survive in this world. I definitely think it is a dark art since I’d imagine I’d get depressing at times especially when you learn about how the person died.
@@kristencalifra6421 What is wrong with being paid for top services? They have spent years developing their craft and deserve to be rewarded?
@@kristencalifra6421 it’s a gift because they have to see what you don’t.
I would call them angel artisans. I lost a good friend to murder. She was 24, she was murdered by her husband. I was quite fearful of the viewing/wake. She looked so very beautiful, like a sleeping angel, and not at all like my awful expectations. God bless everyone in this occupation. You are appreciated beyond measure.
PRAYERS AND GRATITUDE TO GOD
I am so sorry for your loss, may she rest in peace ❤️
She had the sun and the moon her favor. My the angels above look after her and you
May your friend Rest In Peace ❤
A little story time about skin slip: I had a full term stillborn baby during a c section. When he was presented to me when I woke up, he was swaddled. He had probably already died a few days prior to the c section so he may have had some decomposition. All I saw was his beautiful face and gorgeous head full of jet black hair.
At his funeral, the director asked us for a blanket. He said the baby’s hands didn’t look good. When we gave him the blanket he literally ran up the aisle to tuck the baby in to his casket before we could approach and see him.
When I got to him, I realized that I had never seen his hands. Maybe there’s something internal that makes a mother inspect her baby’s hands and feet to count the fingers and toes, I don’t know. But it was important to me that I see his hands. So I uncovered him and saw the sweetest tiny fingers, his perfect little fingernails.
He had some of that skin slip you talked about, the skin was peeling and different colors but it was my baby’s hands, and that’s all I cared about.
He would have been 20 this month.
Dolores Rogers-Gonzalez 😢😞
Happy Birthday little baby ❤️❤️❤️ I'm sorry for your loss...I know he would've been a bright, strong young man.
fly high baby ❤️
Sorry for your loss💔👼RIP baby boy
What a horrible thing to be experienced in. 😥 I wish you the very best.
LOL all the MLM huns are catering to the wrong audience, they need to start advertising their essential oils to funeral homes!
That's exactly what I thought of 🤣🤣
Makes sense for pyramid schemes to target the funeral industry, since pyramids were basically just large graves.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hi, I was wondering if you'd be interested in an opportunity I have for you? It's great, you just buy all of these scented oils from me and use them and if you like them you can try to sell some to someone else to make the money back that you already spent buying them.
Sounds great, doesn't it? I'll put you down for 10 boxes.
I can just imagine a lucrative partnership between Young Living and SCI...
When my mom was diagnosed with AML, she was given 7 wks to live. She said she was grateful to be able to pick out her own casket, flowers, and other funeral arrangements. One thing she also did, was to ask me to do her makeup. Now I know my experience isn’t about a severely decomposed body, but when my mom died, I felt that it was an honor to do this final thing for her…to prepare her hair and to put her makeup on. This was a very interesting video! Thanks for putting this out there…you ladies are awesome!
I was honored to do my deceased client's hair after her death. She passed away from cancer she knew she was leaving. But when I met her her hair was about a cpl inches long. Her hair grew back so pretty after chemo she loved me always faithful with her hair appointments. No one would touch her hair except for me. After her death I knew that she wanted me to do her. So this day her husband walked into the salon I knew exactly why he was there. Later after the service was over I spoke to him and he mentioned how those curls in her hair wouldn't go anywhere. He said they tried to comb her beautiful hair but those curls was locked in. Mrs Annie Rogers RIP beautiful lady.
A VERY loving way to honor your mom.
What else did you do for this "clients" husband? I'll bet you really helped him thru the mourning process. Lol
@@coyleigh6902 THAT IS THE RUDEST MOST DISGUSTING THING FOR YOU TO SAY!!!! YOU HAVE A DARK COLD HEART!!!
Coy Leigh , you are a very rude and disgusting person!! How dare you!!
My stepdad was killed in a wreck in TX back in 2008. It was a tanker wreck and his face was in bad condition. I was told we couldn't have open casket to begin with. However he'd made a friend with a retired lady who reconstructed faces of the dead before she retired. She came out of retirement to fix his face. We live in NC so i flew mom home one day and him home the next. Mom wanted to see him the day he arrived so i saw him first. I was afraid he'd look bad with no makeup even after she fixed his face so i made them take me first. He looked good actually. Heavy bruising but other than that, he looked like Rocky. I was shocked at how good he looked. I never even met the lady but she became my hero that day. I don't believe she even charged us. But thanks to her, we were able to have our open casket funeral for him. I later learned through the autopsy report just how bad his face was. Completely destroyed one of his eyes and crushed part of his face. This lady who i never even met performed a miracle for free because she thought so much of him. Just shows how amazing Rocky was to have made that kind of friend. Things were so crazy then but i wish I'd have reached out to her. But she will always be in my heart. I'll never forget what she did for us.. 💞
That's so sweet!
Maggots be like: it's free real estate
I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard this entire pandemic, thank you. Lol
"Maggots" of course being an euphemism for "real estate agents"
HAHAHAHAHAH
Tar. Nearly dropped my phone in the bath trying to not have a laughing fit.
Part of the ship part of the crew
My grandpapa died three weeks ago. I miss him like crazy and am still mourning. But while preparing for the viewing I went and told the funeral director I wanted to help prepare him. I was able to shave him and fix his hair the way he always liked it. While doing that I spoke to him and sang his favorite church songs to him. It gave me a bit of peace to know that was able to do that one last thing for him. So thank you Caitlin there's no way I'd have felt comfortable enough to do that let alone ask to do it before I began following your channel. ♡
**edit** Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who left comments. I read them and although they made me cry I do so very much appreciate them. ♡
I almost cried reading this, I'm sorry for your loss 💜
I felt a deep sadness when reading comments 😭
I'm sorry for your loss, rest in the fact your grandpapa loved you..be safe
Well of course,sorry for the loss of your grandpapa. But I don't feel sad about your story,I feel the love you have for him,and the comfort you got helping to make him look his best! I'm glad you felt strong enough to do this for him! Bless you!
He ain't never gonna be gone while you hold him in your heart! Stay safe and healthy.
Wow, very beautiful story. Thank you for sharing ❤️
The discoloration is so true. My dad had been brought straight from death to the funeral home. The mortician asked if we wanted to see my dad before he had any makeup on after being embalmed. He was all purple and green. Something I wasn’t prepared for. Thank you for your channel. It has helped me gain some closure and awareness on my father’s death. I’m not afraid to think of death anymore
You don't even need to be in a state of active decomposition to change colour either. My neighbour had a heart attack on her doorstep and the paramedics worked on her for about an hour trying to bring her back, which she obviously wasn't going to, and sometimes it feels a bit performative, but her family were all crowded round watching in horror so I can understand why they "put on a show" so to speak. But the whole time, she was a deep blurple shade, almost like the cartoon holding your breath kind of colour. I suppose it was something to do with how she died, the heart involvement, and then the resuscitation attempts, but it was such a distinct and rich colour. Horrible. I think most people think death is like you see on TV and in movies, peaceful and quiet and like going to sleep, so it can be quite shocking when they see someone dead in real life. Luckily, like anything traumatising you experience, you may remember details as clearly as it happened yesterday, but there's almost a disconnect, as if it happened to someone else or you're telling a story, just a wall between you as you are now and who you were in that moment. Brains are cool that way, protecting us from being unable to carry on.
My big brother passed away about 3 months ago due to heart failure. He was in his truck and we couldn’t find him for a day, and the officers wouldn’t let us see him, saying he didn’t looks good due to the position he was in. We wanted to see him, just to help your brain understand that they are actually gone. The funeral director told us right before that for whatever reason, he turned really red that day. (I think he was embarrassed even in death) and the director even said he had no idea why. But he warned us that we would see makeup on him, that they had to use makeup darker than his natural color to offset the red. I was petrified to see him. When we did see him, it was like he was sleeping. So peaceful, and in life he always looked a little angry sleeping because of his brow shape. We got to see him one last time and the director really made sure he looked like… well, him.
He turned really red because of carbon monoxide poisoning.
When I die, I want my funeral director to have diamonds on their eyelashes.
Omg I’m so glad you said that because for the life of me I couldn’t figure out what the hell was on her eye! I thought it was a cyst!!!!!
It was driving me nuts! Didn’t look like diamonds to me!
Michael Phillips me too ! It was driving me crazy trying to figure out what it was
I was wondering that too! They looked like hearts! I want some!!! And I have so many questions about them. Haha
Or were they maggots?😑
One of the things that I love about this channel is how human is. We're talking about dead bodies, decomposing bodies, but it never loses the humanity... She knows that the body in front of her was someone's family and treats it with so much respect.
Also how she takes care of the viewers too putting the warnings before the triggers. I'm learning about something like this without risks of accidental trauma.
Excellent work!
Well if theres one thing we are all definitely going to do its die. Idk why ppl act like it doesn't exist when its inevitable for all of us. Its the only thing 100% of us have in common, whats more human than death?? If modern society would stop acting like its a 4 letter word no one should think about we would be able to handle it better. We are basically breeding depression and encouraging it 😕cuz most ppl have absolutely no idea how to properly grieve. In cultures that embrace death grieve better/healthier
I was about to leave a “thank you” to Caitlin for warning her viewers (in this particular case ME) but you did a much better job!! Sooooo I guess I should be thanking you!!! You said it so much better than I could’ve as well!!
That’s why I love Caitlin 👍😊
Yes , well said... I have never laughed listening to people talking about maggots before... lol
I made it 666 likes. >w
My son died the day the covid lockdown started. He was a few weeks away from his 17th birthday. She's right when she said that for a while there were no viewings there were no funerals happening, she's right. I couldn't have a memorial. That was one of the worst things about it. People need that, to say goodbye. For closure. It was a nightmare within a nightmare.
I'm sorry for the loss of your son and I'm sorry you had to deal with isolation and grief at the same time. It couldn't have been easy but I hope you have found some peace now.
@@debbieharris1628 I have found a small amount of peace, thank you for asking... As much as any mother who's child dies way before their time anyways.
So sorry!
God bless you until you see him again. I am an old retired RN. I've seen things. God allows. I can tell you Heaven exists.
@@charlottepayne1918 thank you for your thoughtful reply! I have had a lot of cruel things said to me here on CZcams in regards to things I have said about seeing my son again & it has been hard. But, replies like yours make me feel a lot better. Thank you again.
I'm a former funeral director and grew up in a funeral home... my brother is still in the business. I only remember one or two people that we couldn't prepare for an open casket service.
One was an unfortunate elderly lady that had been deceased for at least two weeks before she was found. There was nothing we could do.
The other was an older guy who passed away in his garage workshop. Next to a space heater. With his three cats in there with him. Nothing we could do.
I had a friend killed in a car accident, she was partially ejected and the car rolled over onto her head, you can imagine the result. My good friend who is also a funeral director in the same town was able to completely reconstruct her whole head perfectly, with just a few pictures of her. It was absolutely amazing, and gave the family as good of a last memory of her as possible.
My cousin and childhood best friend died a few weeks ago. He passed away in a horrific car accident. He went over the bridge and into the river and was there for two days before we found him. He had an autopsy done before the funeral. The morticians did a fantastic job on him. Despite being crushed in a high speed car accident, being dead in the water for two days, and having an autopsy done, he looked perfect. These people are angels
*angels
I'm so sorry for your loss and the circumstances.
I am so sorry for your losses. 🥺 Thats terrible & my heart is with you. ❣️ They’re always with you. ❣️
Hope u are getting support through your loss .May he rest in peace.
I’m so sorry for your loss
Shoutout to the camera person. They're doing their best to keep both women in frame and I see those efforts 😂
I’m in a singing group with two much-shorter women, and we have to get pretty creative to not look freaky in pictures.
I noticed that effort too 😄
Needs an apple box.
C. L. That was a nice comment! 💜👍
My father was a police officer and diver. He was on the Scuba recovery team. He had to search under water in dark, murky, Florida swamp water for bodies. Which meant he often didn't find a submerged body until running in to it face to face underwater with a flashlight. I remember one time he was dragging a bloated body out of water next to a chemical plant, and the arms came out of the sockets and ripped off when the body snagged in the brush. It was so rotten and soft.
Floaters or bodies under water have the worst decomp odor
Wow, your dad is a hero. It takes a lot of courage to do that sort of work. May I ask if he ever had PTSD or anything from seeing such extreme things?
These women are some fearless underrated angels and are a crucial part of the healing process for the loved ones.
I'd be really interested to know how embalmers and morticians manage their mental health, when dealing with such traumatic cases.
I'm interested to know how they keep their lunches down. The smell is what's stopping me from going to mortician school. The bodies I could handle, I think, but the smell... no way, I'm a barfer.
Kimberly Holland what do they smell like?
sugar squad when my step dad passed he couldn’t be embalmed due to cirrhosis and we waited a week for family to come from overseas for the funeral. Immediate family only were allowed to view the body because of the condition. It’s an unmistakable smell, rotting meat plus a sickly sweet smell mixed together 🤢🤢
Jess do you know why the cirrhosis prevented him from being embalmed? Haven’t heard of that, I’m curious
Kimberly Holland same. That and I like rice so not sure about the maggots.
"Giving people options is giving people power." This is a lovely sentiment Caitlin and Monica. Thank you both!
@Andro mache I believe since this episode is about severely decomposed bodies, that wouldn't be an at home thing. I think unfortunately too many people are too weird that at home preparation won't be possible. Unless you can get your religion recognized by the government. Then you might have a chance.
@Andro mache I don't understand your unnecessary rudeness. You watched the video, yes? You know they are discussing working with people who have been exposed to the elements, possibly found after days, and are often too hard of a case for licensed embalmers to assist with? If you watched ANY of Caitlin's videos you'd know she advocates for natural as possible burials and home funerals. Monica is skilled in "hard cases" and is educating us and Caitlin on what work is done to help care for these people. And to help their families process a potentially traumatic death and get the option to say goodbye and see their loved one, even with advanced stages of decomposition, without traumatizing the family further.
c video Agreed. 👍💜💯
My grandmother Rest her soul, she was old with cancer and Alzheimer’s. She was literally skin and bones! When I saw her at the funeral home I was amazed!!!!!!! It looked like my grandma in her good days again. Was something else. I almost left thinking I was at the wrong place
I lost my first boyfriend to suicide 11 months ago. On November 20th it will be a year. He hung himself & unfortunately you could still see the lacerations on his neck & his face was all bloated, honestly looked kind of similar to one of the pig pictures. He wasn’t decomposed because he did it at night & was found in the morning but the image of seeing him in his casket has been completely burned into my memory & it sucks. He was buried in his Army uniform as well because he was in the military. It didn’t seem like he had a Mortician that genuinely cared for his appearance but I appreciate the work these people do. For obvious reasons his death traumatized me severely & I have since been diagnosed with Ptsd, it was so bad that I was eating pizza a few weeks later & the pizza smelled like the funeral home he was in & I instantly started gagging & crying. 5 months after I lost my boyfriend, I lost my best friend & she was dressed to the nines, eye lashes on, edges done, nails on, in her favorite color etc- it made me happier than sad because I knew if she were here she’d tell me to make sure her eye lashes looked good & they damn well did. Anyways, after loosing so many people (yes there were more than those two) I find turning to knowledge and learning about these things helps me cope because I try & try to find a reason and this is the only way to & for that I thank not only morticians, but this channel because it’s helped me make sense of all the losses I’ve had to deal with. They’re human just like us, & they truly are so strong to do this on the daily. I love the selflessness in this career.
Humans want life. Suicide is an act that will be greatly regretted. Life is beautiful 🤷🏻♂️
i know you left this comment a while ago but i just wanted to say i’m so sorry for your loss, i can’t imagine how difficult any of this would be…i hope you’re holding up okay and time has healed a bit ❤
hi, i’m just seeing this for the first time and thought it was a strange coincidence that today is the anniversary. i usually never comment on youtube but just wanted to say i’m sorry for your loss and i hope you’re doing alright. if it means something, i’ve struggled with suicidal tendencies for a long time but reading your perspective genuinely made me consider things i haven’t before. hoping that knowing your story has impacted at least one person positively can make you feel a little bit better.
My high school girlfriend had one mission in life, to become a Mortician. She was fascinated by every facet of the work, and so genuinely caring of the decedent. She passed away from a malignant brain tumor in her first year of Uni (we all knew it was coming and just continued life with her until she couldn't). She never got to realize her dream, your channel/work, makes me remember her so fondly. She would have LOVED your channel and would instantly have wanted to friends with you, she had a passion for this in much the way you seem to and I have a feeling she would've become a professional much like yourself, educating and sharing with everyone in an interesting way. Fascinating content, thank you.
She sounds like an amazing woman. Sorry for your loss. It's lovely you stay connected to her passions and remember her. ❤️
I'm sorry for your loss my friend 🌹
im sorry for your loss. this is a beautiful comment, you will be in my thoughts
I just wanted to reply to my own original comment, to say THANK YOU! For those of you that commented so kindly, please know your words actually touched me through the big, cold internet and made me smile. Marie would have smacked me and said "quit being a sappy nerd" lol. Also, thank you for the "likes" I think this is the most liked comment I've ever posted anywhere, and that's amazing. @caitlin doughty - you should feel so proud, you have a really great community of folks that follow your channel.
@@HaileyDAlessio thank you, very much. I'm touched that you took the time to read it and reply, it made me smile.
Not sure why YT suggested this for me.... but I haven’t left yet 🤷🏾♀️
Welcome, potentially new deathling. 😁
Girl same 🤣🤣 first thing suggested when I opened YT
Why am I here and why haven’t I left yet
Same!! Have no idea why CZcams suggested this video but I found it so so interesting! I'll loose the next couple of hours watching more 😂😂
I ant to like your comment but it’s already perfectly liked
My mom had a heart attack at 42 in her bed with my dad next to her . But she was still warm and had tears on her face when I seen her, it kinda looked she was sleeping but I ran and was in complete sadness to stay and wait for the coroner . I came back after like an hour after the ems were performing CPR and what she looked like after haunts me to this day . I never wanted to remember her beautiful face the way I last saw but I can’t unsee it . Her tongue was hanging out her mouth and she was cold as Ice.😣🥺 these people are brave as heck to do this type of work and still be capable of having a decent night of sleep .
My condolences for your loss 💕
I'm so sorry you had to lose your mama so young. (((Hug)))
The giant maggot coming through the door was definitely a work of art!
If my body is decomposed enough to have maggots inside, bury me as quickly as possible in a closed decomposable coffin. You have permission to sing "the worms crawl in, the world's crawl out, the worms play pinochle on her snout." When drinking after the funeral.
I really want people to play "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" and other stuff when I die.
I want “Dead Man’s Party” and “Killed By Death” at my funeral.
Says a lot for cremation.
Yeah I'd rather not risk traumatizing my family with a bad image of me stuck in their head, just cremate me or hold a closed casket.
I think I love you. I legit lol'd. And I might swipe the idea.
When my grandfather died, he hadn't looked like himself in months, so we initially decided on a closed casket. Many thanks to the embalmer who, like Monica, told us they could restore him and then let us make our final decision, because he actually looked healthier at his wake than he had in years!
Yes, we had a similar situation with my mom. She actually looked more like herself at her viewing than she had for months.
My dad was so swollen, he looked skinny at his funeral. He would have been pleased.
I wish we had of gotten a “Hardcore Embalmer” to work on my grandfather when he passed, he hadn’t looked like himself in months before he died and he looked so much worse when he was dead, I’ve always thought the “dead old person” look was an exaggeration... nope, not in the slightest
My grandfather had Parkinsons so for the last 10 years of his life he was all stressed looking because his muscles were full of rigidity. At his viewing/funeral he was finally relaxed and I got to mourn the grandpa I had been missing for the previous 10 years.
I love being able to do this sort of thing for my families. Nothing more rewarding in my career!
I had a friend who lived in an assisted living home. She died in the home, and they didn't find her for two weeks (which, if you put a loved one in an assisted living home, I'd be specific on how often they check on their residents). We cleaned her room, and it was....pungent. The thing for me was that most of the people---family members--were so disrespectful. I felt awful that her family was so jerky about her death, as if she'd inconvenienced them...I felt so awful for her, but I also felt awful for the first responders and "crime scene" cleaners who had to clean the apartment. We showed up a couple of days after they'd done their work, and I still smelled corpse for three days after I helped clean the apartment of her belongings. I was only glad that she died relaxed, doing what she wanted, and was--I assume--happy.
That facility could--and should--lose their license and undergo a total inspection of their policies and procedures. They would be put on probation by the state inspectors on an even more frequent schedule than state requirements. It is required by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance providers, and agency insurance that resident status be documented at least every 24 hours for assisted living. In most facilities the resident records their status by sliding a device on their mailbox near the entrance from left to right by a specific deadline every day. If they have mobility issues and receive meals in their room/apartment, the person who delivers their meals or a nurse will document their status. In all honesty, that was grounds for the family to pursue litigation and file a complaint with the state licensing agency, the Division of Health Service Regulation. That is why every individual in assisted living and skilled care should have family members or a designated friend/patient advocate checking in on them on a regular basis.
I always reverence the dead as if they can hear everything we say. I believe they do. For people to be disrespectful of the dead is both immature and classless. Shame on them.
One of my best friends passed away in 2016. It was heart wrenching to say the least. She died in a high speed car accident, but the family wanted an open casket funeral. The last time I saw her, I saw no signs that she had been in a severe accident. I saw my friend and I really appreciate the work that embalmers do, even if I don't agree with the practice in most cases. There's a time and place for everything and I appreciate that her family had the resources and access to such a skilled professional to let me see my friend one last time.
while my father was dying from alzheimer's, his prostate cancer accelerated things, and it was shocking what his 300lb gorilla frame looked like at about 80lbs. but he was clean, shaved, and looked really well in spite of it. and i had the decency to tell the home's people that. the relief and thanks on their faces was hard to describe. your talents don't go unappreciated, all.
I think my mother has always told the people what good jobs they did. Altho when my sisters and I were kids we were rough with our criticism at my grandmothers funeral. It was over 25 yrs ago so techniques have changed.
@WARLORD INFERNAL Judge much? Who the F*ck are you to tell others how to react after a family member dies? Whether Yesterday or 50 yrs ago,let ppl mourn/reminisce HOW THEY WILL. GEEEZUZ
@WARLORD INFERNAL The restoration of the mourned is not for "pretty looks", as you infer, but from respect for who the living person had known himself to be. The mourning want to respect the memories of the deceased, not only how the person was perceived in pristine structure.
My uncle had oral cancer and the embalmer restored his face, allowing him to look as he did before he was sick. What they do for families is fantastic work.
My grandpa was over done in 1996, my grandma was done ok in 2011, and my late husband was done horrible in 2016.
My husband had discoloration they used grease makeup like the stuff for Halloween. It was melting off. I was already heartbroken and then seeing that was even more disappointed.
Not all morticians care or have the knowledge as you two do.
My late father was not found for several days and in the summer heat. A fitting tribute to his character. Needless to say, the funeral was closed casket, but first we, the family went to the funeral home for a viewing. It did help me get closure, especially since I hadn't seen him for at least a decade. I wrote a short story and a poem about it.
post-mortem injectables would make for a sick band name
*googles post-mortem injectables* it beginnns
So would hardcore embalmers tbh!
Rockem😆😆
I have dibs
Trademark that!!!
Bless this woman. I have a high tolerance for decomposition, infestation, and stench, but dealing with a human body in that condition would be another thing entirely.
Wow. This comment was posted 54 mins. ago and there's 54 likes. sorry, nerd/OCD comment. plz continue..
Same, I have a sometimes-smelly compost pile and I'm not terribly bothered by roadkill when I see it, but rotting human bodies? Nah
Same. I can view photos, watch videos and read graphic descriptions of human bodies and death-related topics without feeling a thing, but I can't imagine I'd react well to witnessing a death or decomposing body IRL. And let's not even talk about the smell.
Blood and gore? All that stuff is chill, It doesn’t bother me at all. But ppl decomposition? Nahhhhh . Also I’m stupid I clicked this while eating a sandwich hopefully I’ll be fine
Moebym I wonder the same thing. I definitely think it takes time! I read Caitlin’s first book “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”, and she talks at length about how hard it was for her when she 1st began working at a crematory. I highly recommend checking it out, if you haven’t already. But I also think it takes a certain kind of person to do what Caitlin and others in the “death fields” (coroners, crime scene investigators, crime scene cleaners, etc) do every day. I don’t mean it’s about being a strong or weak person-I can’t put it into words. 🤷🏻♀️
SO HERE GOES: My story is quite different from reading some of you all stories... My mother passed away on May 25,2002 and I had just turned 21 literally 4months before her passing. She passed away from an asthma attack at home in my arms. That was the most devastating thing that had ever happened to me, to have to see & sit there and watch your mother gasping for oxygen and nothing you give her is working at all... I think I'll stop here and go on with my story because I'm shaking, trembling, and tearing up a tab bit and I'm sorry!!!
Anyway we were allowed to see her before family and everyone else saw her and I did not appreciate what they had done to my mom. They had put way too much make-up and lipstick 💄on her and Mother NEVER wore lipstick a day in her life... I was so frustrated that I asked if it was possible for me to redo her and they advised me that they didn't mind only if I was strong enough to do so which I felt I was since that'd be the last thing I could do for her. To make a long story short I had my mother looking just like herself and my sisters and I were over exited with the way she turned out...
Fast forward to 9 & 10yrs later my grandparents passed away and I dressed and did both of their make-up and the funeral director stated how good I was at doing that and told me maybe I should reconsider my career in the nursing field. I haven't done so but watching your channel has surely put something in me that makes me want to go back to school... Thank you all for listening because I know my story was all over the place!!!😍🥰😍🙌🙏🙏🙌
For starters, my condolences for the loss of your mom and grandparents. That had to have been very traumatic for you, and I can tell that, 20 years later, it still affects you just to tell the story online. I know your mother appreciated the predicament you were in, and the fact that it was your arms that held her one last time. I firmly believe that our loved ones - to the extent that circumstances allow them - spiritually choose who is around them when they go. So you were her comfort. It was very brave of you to insist on making her look "right" as you wanted to honor how she would prefer to look and were willing to do it yourself, not just for your mother, but a decade later, your grandparents.
My late mom was a nurse. It takes a lot of guts to be a nurse. She went to nursing school at age 42, graduated at age 43, when I was just starting my senior year in college. She told me I was her inspiration. She was newly divorced from my dad. I was working my way through undergrad. I will always be proud of her, especially now that I'm in my 50s and know how much harder things get the older you are. The world is always going to need nurses. Good luck!
I'm sorry for your tragic loss. Untimely losses are the hardest to bear and having her die in your arms feeling so helpless, I can't imagine that profound grief, shock, and sorrow. You were a blessing to her, and now you're a blessing to many others. You'll be reunited with her. May God bless you 🙏♥️🙏
I am so very sorry for what you and your mother went through. Im 35 and have had asthma my whole life. I've only had one asthma attack where I thought I was going to die. None of my meds were working, I was panicking running outside trying to draw in fresh air and nothing worked. I was crying and begging for an ambulance (which no one would call for me) but then somehow my albuterol in my nebulizer began working as I was fading out. It was the most terrifying thing I've ever experienced. It terrified me and I lived in constant fear that it would happen again. And it did. I began waking up at night from a dead sleep not being able to breathe and I'd panic. My point is asthma can be so unpredictable. Before and since that time I haven't had anymore issues. I'm not sure what was triggering it then or why my meds wouldn't work. I'm glad your mom had you with her. I know it was a comfort to her. Anyways I've gone on too long but wanted to add that maybe you should give this business some more thought. It seems like you're being drawn to this field for a reason.
My condolences for your lost and I swear I know this is random but I was literally born May 24, 2002 😳.
I was just watching this videos to help face the understanding of death till I had seen this comment.
So sorry for your painful loss....If you still feel that tug in your spirit to go to school for this then pls go. You are needed, loved, and appreciated. Making a deceased loved one appear peacefully sleeping is soooo important to the survivors. It brings healing to them instead of more trauma. Very important job. Go for it!!!!
Back in the 70’s while I was in nursing school my uncle died several days after a diving accident. He was almost completely bald and had had Crutchfield tongs placed for a broken neck. I cautioned my mother that the site of the tongs might be noticeable but there was absolutely no sign of the tong insertion. He looked very natural. Thanks to all of you that do this work❤️
I love how after a dozen photos of gross pigs in various states we get a warning for a scene with a sanitized clean needle.
I used to have a fear of needles while being absolutely fine with gross stuff. The needle bit would've made me cringe so hard. Having required a lot of blood tests over the years I've overcome it (I actually find it cool watching the blood enter the tube now lol), but man, I used to hate em
Yeah, kinda tru :P But I believe that scene could be triggering for drug addicts, so it is good that she put warning anyway
I’m a vet tech and I’ve seen clients drop when the vet just pulls out a needle (silly doctors 😉). This is why I always ask if owners are okay with them, prior to bring them out in the open.
@@Leeqzombie I used to be afraid of needles, too. Especially finger pricking and small needles, for some strange reason. Safe to say I've gotten over it. I went in for a blood test recently and the nurse was like "um, you might want to look away so you don't flinch when I draw your blood", and like a total weirdo I said "no, that's ok, I like to watch".
@@AaAa-kv9fj Actually, there are lots of people who have never touched inject-able drugs a day in their lives but STILL have very severe needle phobias (myself included). Especially when watching needles be injected into what would be "sensitive" areas, like the fingers, face, or in/around wounds.
"...this dark art..."
You're a funeral wizard, Harry! 😎
(bad Hagrid impersonation) You shouldn't have said that. 😀
@@BennyLlama39 that reminds me of Ben Drowned (my favorite creepypasta) I will always love creepypasta.
That was... Siriusly Riddikulus!! 😍💞
I think Monica goes to Ravenclaw. 🤔wait...what are the American houses? Any cool enough for Cold Hands or Caitlyn?
Putting the Fun in *Fun*eral.
I worked for a funeral home in a large metropolitan area for six years. We never tried to restore decomposed bodies, I had never heard of that at the time. Plus we were always so busy there was no time for it. It was like an assembly line where I worked. The smell of a decomposing body is unlike anything else in this world, including an animal. There's just no way to describe it. The smell seems to stick to your clothes and everything. It's a smell I'll never forget. It's amazing at how fast it occurs too. A body lying for just a few hours in an un-air conditioned house is enough in some cases to make decomposition occur rapidly.
Thank you for this video. My dad passed away suddenly recently. He lived alone independently and one of us live nearby and he wasn't found until he hadn't returned phone calls or several days, which was also typical of him. My sister and brother really wanted the full funeral, complete with viewing and the funeral director warned us this might be challenging. Thanks for helping me understand why his skin was darker, ears had slipped etc. They did a good job but he definitely looked more dead than sleeping. Since we couldn't be with him as he died, in a way it helped us grasp the reality of him being gone.
One thing struck me so hard when watching this video: love. Subjects like this are so often labeled as grim or macabre. But at the heart of it is love, and a desire to help the bereaved through something profound.
That's why this channel is so important. It really helps you see death and the whole process as just a natural, normal thing that can be quite the show.
Ty
Im danish and we dont do open caskets. When my mother died 8 months ago, my daughter insisted puttting on nailpolish on granmother. So she went to the nursinghome where my mother still layed and gave her pretty pink nails. As she said, she had almost never seen grandmom whithout it and couldt not stand the thought of her being crematet without🙏🙏
That is very sweet. I’m glad your daughter was able to do that. I’m very sorry for your loss.
We did my great grandmas nails as she died also. It was a great way for us to all be with her and each other, and say goodbye. ❤️
Awww
I was a Little upset they spent $$$$ to bury a Friend but she had wocked hair dye roots.
Well that WAS Suzie
Oh you don't do open caskets in Denmark? I'm Swedish and we usually don't do it either, however we are allowed to if we want to. It's just not very common. Just like participating in the cremation, not very common but you are allowed to if you want.
That is too sweet, you are raising a thoughtful little women
One thing I discovered after I became a nurse and had been around a few dead bodies, is that the decomposing flesh of mammals is the same smell no matter what mammal it is. Like there have been times that I’ve been on a hike and I’ve smelled that smell… And realize there’s probably a dead deer or animal in the woods close by.
What does it mean when the decaying body smells more "fishy", as in the case of a neighbour recently in my building? Nobody knew that he was dead until someone complained that someone was cooking fish every day and stinking up the hallway 😳 He had been dead for at least 3 weeks.
I always find it interesting to hear about wakes/viewings in other cultures.
I live in Ireland, once a person dies they are generally buried 3 days after. We have wakes, usually in a person's house, that last a day or two. The person is laid out in the coffin usually in the living room, friends and family say goodbye and there's music, song, sharing of memories, stories. People will also bring lots of food and drink. We try to make it a happy occasion. Depending on the area of the country you live in, someone will stay overnight in the house and you might hear keening too. When it comes time to carry the coffi to the hearse people line up on either side, coffin is covered in flowers and family members carry it to the hearse.
My sister was in the sun for a whole hot summer week and they could not do this for her. Honestly the throat area rung memory bells.
But I believe the family can choose if they want and can afford it. But in my cultural funerary case (Tangi. Where you have an open coffin for three days) she was sealed tightly in a bag to stop...smells. And it was a closed coffin obviously. As much as I wanted to see her again, I don't think she would appreciate being seen like that haha.
And don't worry, it doesn't affect me any more. Death is a natural part of life and I'm thankful to be raised in a culture where death isn't the end all but a celebration of their life. So I'm super happy more 'deathlings' are becoming aware its not scary!
They cremated my friend who went missing for 3 months in the summer
Thankyou for sharing. Sorry for your loss but it sounds like you have a healthy & positive attitude about it.
fellow kiwi here, sending much love and aroha for you and your loved one. this channel is so important to have a positive death experiences whether it's coping, or organising a will etc
Thank you for sharing! More people need to have this perspective on death!
Another Kiwi here! Great to see a couple on Caitlin's channel. I'm Pakeha, but tangi make so much sense to me. When a Maori friend of mine died, it was just lovely to be able to see her (even though they put some weird glitterly makeup on her and she never wore makeup), have a chat, mingle with others, and grieve openly if that's what you needed to do. Pakeha funerals are so cold.
My great grandmother died yesterday, she was 93 and a force to be reckoned with. For the first time, I didn't cry when someone died. Throughout our visits south she would always say "im going home" and even showed me the clothing she wants to be buried with and the plot next to her husband, none of my other relatives have ever talked about themselves dying, and her positivity about it gave me so much peace. Watching your videos has helped me to really appreciate death and become more comfortable with it and I am so grateful
I’m very sorry for your loss.
💚 you are lucky to know such a woman and be related
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad to hear that you got to know such a strong and wise human. I hope I can be like her. Thank you for sharing a bit a about her with us ❤️
There really is no smell like decomp and once you smell it you never forget it. There was an elderly gentleman who passed away in my hometown during the summer. When we walked by the house we smelled this smell, we later found out it was him. He lived alone and it took a couple weeks for someone to foUnd him. It was the smell that tipped off the police department.
It’s so amazing just how far we have come! I remember my mom telling of how one of her cousins died after the car he was riding in was hit by a train. My mom was born in 1932 so it would have been the early 1900’s when her cousin was killed. The mortician tried his best to talk my mom’s aunt out of trying to have an open casket. Apparently there was not much left of his head. But my mom’s aunt wasn’t able to accept that her son was gone or that he was in no condition to be seen. She insisted on an open casket. The mortician had to construct a paper mache head and then they draped the casket with some thick black gauze. I’m so grateful that there are people who have the heart to work with the deceased. Thank you to each of you.
My grandfather died across the world this week, and I can't go to the funeral or really be involved. Still, your videos have still helped me deal with his death, somewhat. Thanks Caitlin.
Love to you & your family💕
Deepest sympathies.
My Condolences
Sorry for you loss. My papa was unable to attend his mama's funeral 13 years ago as he had just moved from the UK to the states. There is some law stating if you leave the country while waiting for a green card or citizenship you can't go back. Our family knew that nain would understand. It was difficult for papa but that's the way it was. I hope you are able to get through this. Sending love to you and your family.
My grandad died a couple of weeks ago, not directly from covid, but not being allowed visitors in the nursing home probably had to do with it. His kids got to see him so my dad sent me a picture which I value highly.
Then direct cremation. We will hold a small service in the beginning of July witch I can attend to.
Seeing 6 foot Caitlin next to Monica is giving me life. It's like, "So tell me what you've been up to lately, little sister!" :) They even have semi-matching tops!
I was already wondering whether Caitlin was that tall or Monica was that short
Caitlin looks like an Amazon woman in comparison, lol. Love it!
oh my god i thought monica was sitting down at first
bridget merritt-carr Same!! I never realized Caitlin is so tall!!
I was going to comment on this too... I was gonna be like "Is Monica pocket-sized?"
You do such an amazing work… Thanks you so much for what you do !
When my father left by suicide, i did not had the chance to see him, casket remained closed allegedly because of the damage done to his head bye the fire shot.
It was difficult to not been able to see him, touch him and say goodbye … so much that it made the denial part of my grief last so long…
Thank-you Caitlin. I've learned alot listening to your videos. Mom died last month at age 91. It was expected. Before for she past we were able to work with the funeral home that we would keep mom at home to wash her dress her and to have her viewing at our house before the funeral home picked her up. It was so peaceful and meaningful to us as a family. We were able to have a beautiful graveside service two weeks later without embalming her. We would not known that this was even possible if it were not for your "Ask A Mortician ". We are deeply grateful. Sidenote. I was able to do her casket spray which gave me such peace and joy to do that for my mom.
I used to have a fear of dead bodies. My best friend died in the same room that I was in overnight, the next morning blood had poured from his mouth and pooled on the pillow. Stiff as a board in the rigimortis stage, the blood had pooled under and settled very visibly. He was a statue almost when the authorities had come and carried him off. Watching your channel gives me a different point of view and kills that fear.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It must been hard for you :(
I'm just curious, but how did your friend die?
@@WhySoPrettyJinsoul. anyurism in his sleep
I’m sorry for your loss.
Your best friend died in his sleep in the same room you did overnight?
@@cedartheyeah.justyeah.3967 Yes he did. We were roommates.
A friend of mine's downstairs neighbour died leaning against a radiator. She and her nearly-dead starving dog were found 2 or 3 weeks later, and she'd basically... melted onto the radiator. Really sad and really gross. Policemen and funeral home people puking like mad in the garden. I wonder what could have been done for her with this sort of embalming. (My friends took in the dog and she made a full recovery and to this day is still loved like crazy)
Don't let the dog lick your face
Dear Sarah Dawn ~ Thank You SO Much For The Update On The Puppy!!
At that point, I'd go with a closed casket, cremation, or a wax figure.
Good god....that sounds terrible. At that point, just cremate I'd say. Sounds like there's nothing to preserve at that point.
That poor dog.
My best friend at age 14, of 9 years died of ovarian cancer. Closed casket wake. I'm now a month away from 43, and I still have PTSD from her loss and the inability to see her. Thank you for making this video, Caitlin. It helps considerably.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. I lost a friend at age 10 from heart disease. It is a grief that never goes away.
I can't understand why people go through this funeral stuff all the time when they could be cremated the funeral business is so disgusting it makes you want to throw up just thinking about it I would prefer to be cremated over anything
@@robertwindedahl4919 You can be preserved/present at a viewing and then cremated. That was done for several of my family members. Funerals are for the living. They are a chance to see the body, recognize the loss is real and permanent, and say good-bye. After that viewing, cremation is absolutely an option. Please do not judge others for the grief-related traditions that allow for processing and healing.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I want to say, thank you for doing this channel and type of "taboo talk" in such a out there but understandable and sensitive way. My mother passed away this October, and these videos not only helped me understand the necessary schedule and things to have done from freezer to burial; but also helped me understand what I needed to do her restorative makeup before the viewing. I am not a professional funeral home makeup artist, so more "in depth" restoration had to be done by them, but this channel helped me understand what to do essentially.
She had as green of a burial as she could, if there's a plus in any of this. Her coffin was a weak wood and she wasn't embalmed, so she will return to the earth soon.
Thank you, Caitlyn.
So sorry for your loss.
I hate to say that "I was literally thinking about this yesterday". However, there is a story here in Massachusetts about an older gentleman (62) who went missing from a homeless veterans shelter in the suburbs five weeks ago being found. He hadn't wandered off into the woods or fallen into a nearby swamp, rather, he was found in a stairwell in a large building right on the premises of the Bedford VA hospital from which he was missing. No one had simply used that stairwell in five weeks until yesterday morning when some unfortunate schmuck decided not to take the elevator, and was unlucky enough to make the discovery.
That poor, poor man... what a terrible way to die. And what a humongous failure for the shelter!
Yikes! That's awful. I live in Mass and didn't hear about this at all.
Like where's the cameras? That is so sad! 😥 poor old man!
@@brittsfromthebong968 Literally, where are the cameras??? What a lawsuit waiting to happen...
The almost exact same thing happened here a few years ago. I *think* they found him on a golf course.
Just wanted to say thank you Caitlin.
My Grandmother passed away at home during this epidemic.
I was able to tell my father it was ok for us to wait until he was ready for her to be taken away. I was able to close her mouth, fold her arms, keep her cold, and arranged her cremation.
At a time when we are all feeling so powerless, it made all the difference to be armed with all this knowledge and empowerment. Thank you.
Xoxoxoxo
I'm sorry for your loss. You did a beautiful thing for your dad.
I’m also sorry for your loss Emily. I just wanted to say that you did a nice thing for your father and you also thanked Caitlin for her interesting and educational information, which was very appropriate and I appreciate that. My son passed away at home and I was able to see him before they took him away, which means more now than I expected it would. Family members having the ability to decide to do what they want in difficult times like this is a gift that will be appreciated for a long time. Everybody’s different in how they grieve and want to remember their loved ones. Your comment stood out for me and I had to put in my two cents. Take care.
Violet04 Nunya I’m sorry for your loss as well! I cannot imagine losing a child. At least they r in a better place now. Take care & God bless! 💜🙏
Read some of the comments. SO many people live with unspeakable grief. God bless you and God bless everyone who helps someone who hurts.
I've been to 3 funerals within 2 years and it really makes me think twice about who's going to do my makeup if I die young.
Let me leave with contour, a spray tan and a peachy highlight.
So basically Monica is an artist. A highly specialized artist.
And a scientist, chemist.
@@cyberspelunker1980 And someone who uses that talent and skill to let us say goodbye properly. Not all heroes...
Wow she sure is!
Didn't realize how tall Caitlin was.
as a 5.11 myself, this detail makes me happy. Tall girls need role models too! ^^
Tall women are hot
@@dcfromthev aaaand here comes a dude to sexualize it
I think she's just over 6 foot tall. I think she mentioned it in a recent video or her book. Plus I think Monika is also really petite which makes an interesting contrast.
Hhh I'm 5'3", I wish I was even close to her height 😂
I’m in training to be a mortician, and one of my first cadavers was an old man who died in his home and wasn’t found for a while. He was decomposing rapidly and the family requested an open casket viewing. The cadaver smelled horrible and there was nothing we could do slow down the decomposition process. Embalming fluids didn’t work - It just wasn’t possible. We denied the families request and explained to them that it just wouldn’t be possible, as the body was in too bad of a condition. Odd experience to say the least
When my grandmother had passed and my family and I went to see her for the last time, she looked just like she always did- with some makeup on and her glasses, as well as some clothes in her style. Obviously she felt cold and she had a bit of blue on her fingernails, but other than that, she didn't even look dead. More so asleep. It was a very pleasant experience and I was very thankful of the mortician that made her look so good and normal. She definitely would've been happy to see that they did her eyeshadow right!
I’m just now noticing how tall Caitlyn actually is, like grab that plate off the top shelf for me please tall
Unless Monica is really tiny. I've been wondering which one it is.
Yea as a Shorter lady. How about no High Hair.
Monica is hispanic and hispanics can be short compared to europeans.
I’m super short and my sister is tall. When I need something from up high I yell “I need a tall person!”
@@killiberke Caitlyn is 6'0ft.
I stayed with my dad's body for hours at the hospital after he died until the funeral home came. It was incredible how quickly he changed. My last memory of him would have been of how horrific he looked when the funeral home finally came, rather than of how much he looked like he was just my dad having a nap by the time he was prepped for viewing. Until I saw him in the casket, I had no comprehension of how important a final viewing can be for closure. I had no idea it was possible to restore some decomposed bodies to a point where that open casket can become a possibility. This is Important Work.
I love how you capitalized Important Work
My condolences
I found my dads body, he was leaned over so all the blood pooled to his face, his face was dark purple, so I get how horrific it can be.
Darkness that sounds horrible I’m so sorry
Im sorry about your dad honey, youre very strong for being there and staying with him, he would appreciate it SO much knowing you did that.. Both my parents are gone now due to addiction, but my mom was more recent it was last year that she overdosed... She was brain dead but on life support at the hospital so she wasnt decomposing yet, and i went in and wiped her whole body down gently but thoroughly with baby wipes to make her feel clean and get rid of any blood etc, and brushed her beautiful loonnngg black hair and styled it ( my hair is now down to my bum and black just like hers💕) , trimmed and painted her finger nails and toe nails ( she always had beautiful nailpolish and was known for that, but her fingers were chipped and covered in blood after the overdose and the struggle, so i couldny leave them that way. So i painted them her favorite baby blue color + mine were matching) and i put a pair of my lil earings in her ears.. Then i put a pair of my favorite, comfy jammies on her and put this beautiful, thin, soft blankey on her that my husband got me for christmas..she was SO cold... The blankey meant alot to me and was so nice and comfy, and it was my fav thing to sleep in so i wanted her to be able to "sleep" for eternity with it.. All clean, comfy, and as beautiful as she always was.. Sorry for the rant. Im still very much not over it.
WHEN YOU ASKED WHAT DECOMPOSITION SMELLS LIKE TO HER AND SHE SAID “DECOMPOSITION” I FELT THAT SO HARD IVE SMELLED DECEASED, EXTREMELY DECAYED BODIES AND THERE IS NO WAY TO DESCRIBE IT
My uncle passed away years ago & he’d lived a hard life & the funeral home made him look amazing, so much so my aunt (his older sister) had to ask if they were sure we were viewing the right person. He looked soooooo good💜💜💜💜
I was 18 when I lost a classmate to a railway accident. The entire class went to his funeral and I was really worried about seeing him, since the accident was extremely gruesome. They had him in a casket but he was wrapped in a white cloth from head to toe. I really appreciate professionals that put in so much effort to help us remember our dead loved ones the way they used to be .
was it a thick cloth...were u guys allowed to touch him or talk to him a final time
I had a good friend in jr high who got in a train accident. Besides my own family that was one of the saddest things I've ever been through.
@@TommyRou it was a thick cloth. Unfortunately we didn't get to talk to him or touch him one last time. He was an only child and his family was absolutely heartbroken so we just stood there, looked at him once and offered our condolences to his dad.
@@SingerCommaMarla I'm sorry you had to go through that. Coming to terms with death at such a young age must've been painful, hope you're better now ❤️
Lacian McArthur Do people like to touch dead bodies? Also, do they think talking to the dead body is real?
I never really thought about the behind the scenes stuff with the bodies, until my good friend Ricky passed. He was a gay black man in a pretty rural community, and it wasn't always easy for him. Then one morning, he threw himself in front of a tractor trailer truck. I was told when the services would be, and in my mind I just assumed he'd have to be cremated. Lo and behold, I walked into the church, and see my pal Ricky up front in the box. I was pretty impressed. I could NEVER do this job, but I'm so thankful for those that can and do.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Ricky sounds like a great man.
They should've pulled an Emmit Till and left him as he was so the community could see what they were responsible for.
I’m sorry it was so tough for him, he should have moved away and started life anew elsewhere. May he finally have peace 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Rest easy Ricky
I like your Pfp with the ice cream, where did you find it? And also I'm sorry that you lost ricky, RIP.
My father was killed while crossing the street. He was hit by a drunk driver. The trauma to his head/body was extensive. The mortician did her best so we were able to see him. We had a closed casket. This video was very insightful. Thank you for giving people this♥️
My 5 cousins were killed in 78 and my cousins face was ripped off and the morticians did an excellent job of sculpting him a face suitable for viewing.
I’ll never forget that wax face💔😢
I'll never understand why they fished my cousin's body out of the bottom of the lake after 3 days of being under and gave him an *open casket* funeral, because underneath all that caked-on base makeup that was veeeeery much the wrong color (and seemingly no other attempt at makeup), he was very puffy, very blue, and somewhat decomposed... I get wanting an open casket, and honestly it fulfilled my curiosity. But it seems like a funeral director wouldn't want someone that... terrible looking going out in public like that.
Imp Again!~ Probably what the family wanted. Until they saw it.
When my grandpa died, he wasn’t decomposing or anything, but his makeup was the wrong color. My mom asked for the makeup and re did his face and hands.
Also I’m very sorry for your loss.
Former funeral director here... they did a bad job, period. It was beyond their talent to make your cousin look presentable, and they shouldn't have tried. I'm sorry your family had to see that.
@@Nothing-zw3yd Thank you. I know the family wanted an open casket, and I'm sure the funeral director did their best, but there's not a lot you can do for a body that's been under water for 3 days, and I feel like it might have traumatized more people than it brought peace to
See this is why I just want to be turned to ash. No crazy expensive Embalming for me! Plant a tree with my ashes and call it a day!
People are too attached to death, just accept it. It’s part of life.
I’m sad to say cremation in some places is just as expensive if not more than open casket
Being thrown in a ditch is much cheaper
Considering where I come from (South Africa) and being black there's so many cultural things we go through during the week before the funeral which is crazy expensive once you calculate the expenses. I would rather be turned into ash because It's cheap but again because of cultural things I can't
Yeah same donate my organs if possible and turn me to ash or just throw me in the ground idc lol
It’s so nice to know there is someone out there that has respect for the bodies they prepare. You both are so, so special. Thank you!
Monica Torres is like the rockstar plastic surgeon of embalming! Does she have a channel? How long has she been in the business and how did she learn how to do this? It's incredible!
wow insanely gross and insanely cool. i could never do this, humanity is so lucky to have people like you guys who do this as a profession
For real!
As a first responder whose found quite a few decomposed loved ones, it really reassures me that there are people who are able to help these families. Thank you so much for putting out a video that highlights these services.
My aunt did the hair for the dead as she was a hair stylist. It’s a blessing to have these specialists available.
My cousin was killed in a one car crash in 1979. He was very badly mangled, and we had to have a closed casket. There just wasn't anyone available who could have restored him.
I knew one of the morticians from when we were in high school, and asked him some time later about it, with the solemn promise that I would not tell my cousin's family about it. He told me the extent of the injuries. It was best that we had the closed casket.
It's really cool that despite being pro decomposition and natural burial, you are still open to collaborate with embalmers and see some cases where the grieving might need one.
Also that sneaking maggot is a mental image, thanks
Exactly! I appreciate her so much!
Her voice reminds me of Safiya Nygaard just a tad.
Thank god me too, I get similar vibes from her too.
I've had that thought before too. They both seem to enunciate very clearly and carefully. I think they also have a similar sense of humor, but that might just be me.
i love caitlin’s voice. i don’t know if she sings, but she sounds like she’d make an amazing mezzo-soprano or contralto.
it’s the way she articulated her words! yes definitely
Even her mannerisms sometimes
I saw my first body when I was 14 and a friend had been killed in an auto accident. I was picked up by the mother of another friend and taken to the funeral home to the viewing. I had no idea where we were going or what would be doing there. She was very popular and the place was packed. We were first shoved into the room of another viewing then moved, by the crowd, to her. The accident had done a great deal of damage to her. The funeral home didn't do a good job and it should have been closed. Her face, chest, and arms were reshaped with wire and you could tell. They tried to cover the wounds on her face and hands but they were still easy to see. It was years before I could go to a viewing. I'm over it now. I feel so sorry for her family to see her like that.
The process of embalming and the entire funeral process has intrigued me since I was little. The first funeral home I was ever in was 1970 in Ohio, my grandmother's visitation. There were two visitations going on, and the elderly man, they had his entire legs and feet exposed. One of the first things I noticed was the strong odor of embalming chemicals, but I didn't know that at the time, so that left a lasting impression.I can remember as a candy striperin 1976, we had to meet at a funeral home to take limo's to a play we were going to. I was over in the corner talking to the funeral director, and he took me to the basement to show me around while everyone was upstairs waiting on the limo's. If I had to live my life over, I think that's what I would want to go into. I would absolutely love to be present in on a complete embalming and casketing the body, it's interesting to me.
I have a lot of respect for Monica and everyone else who does that job. That’s a very difficult job and I could never handle that kind of work. I think that is amazing that her and others in that field can give that gift to the families and the deceased.
i've had to remove dead/decaying animals, dogs, hogs, bulls. one thing that wasn't mentioned was the "care" necessary to avoid 2 or more pieces of the Deceased. of course with humans, a good suit would solve that.
As they were showing the chemicals they use I coudn't help but worry about their health when using hazardous chemicals. Even hairdressers that are exposed to toxic fumes everyday are more at risk to lung cancer and other respiratory disease.
At the beginning, you dry heave like once or twice, but then you get used to it. I'm a paramedic, I've seen it all.
The Black Baron my sister is a Mortician and she got started by going to pick up the bodies of the deceased and transporting them to the funeral home. She told me that she has taken care of quite a few deceased that were badly decomposed. She said that after doing it for so long that you get used to it that it comes with the job. She says she loves what she does. I still could never do that kind of work or be a paramedic that’s a difficult job as well.
🖤
Caitlin, my wife and I just read your first book and it provides an excellent backstory that makes us appreciate you more. I have a condition for which studies have shown that about half the people die within 5 years. I’m at year 3 and we’ve already met with the funeral home regarding arrangements. The knowledge you’ve provided has been an immense help. Hope to be in the surviving half but we’re prepared in case I’m not.
Good luck bro! :)
Good luck!
Good on you for making preparations, that will be a great help for your loved ones when your time comes. I hope you will experience lots of peace and joy throughout the years ahead, no matter how many or few they might be.
I admire your bravery and wish you the best
I wish you the best to you and your loved ones ❤️
A good friend of mine from JR, High died in his apatment and layed there for over 5 days. The sister decided to just have a closed casket. This worked for all him friends, we just wanted to remember John as he was. But I do appriciate what this lady does.
I didn't know this was an option. I just assumed the deceased would need a closed casket. Thank you for educating the masses.
The little town I lived in when I was 16 in the 1960’s there was a funeral director who was an artist. A local man had drove his corvette up under a semi. He was torn up bad. The family insisted on open casket. The funeral director had gone to a class on restoration. It was late at night when he got the body. He woke up the local beautician and together they sorted through hair cut that day, he then went to work. The guy in the casket looked like himself. The director did have to tilt the head slightly and play with the lighting some but like I said the director was an artist, hair,, some sort of modeling clays glue and makeup and 12 hours work
That is impressive.
Bless him
These is a brave profession having these ladies talking about maggots like nobody’s biz
There should of been a warning for that😭😭😭😭😭😭 I am NOT okay.
I think the warning was the title of this video. I'm sorry you're not okay, but that's life... I mean it's everywhere -- fungi, bugs, bacteria -- without nature's recyclers life on this planet couldn't continue.
@@galamander_1327 Exactly.
@@kimberleywilliams7802 it's a show about severely decomposed bodies
@@kimberleywilliams7802 I mean... what did you ACTUALLY expect though, given the video of the title? I don't understand.
Went to my brothers best friends funeral last month, it was really hard on us since all grew up together.
He died from liver failure due to advanced cirrhosis…when we got to the funeral home and saw him it was really hard, obviously he didn’t really look like himself - but his mom filled us in on how good they did preparing him for viewing. He was beyond yellow from the jaundice, and was very swollen (think yellow bastard from sin city).
But the way he looked then for the funeral, he was a normal color, except we noticed his hands were still yellow, very deflated (the closest thing I can think of to compare would be a popped water blister that you didn’t remove the excess).
So I have to give respect for those within the embalming arts. That’s the first time I’ve been to a funeral for someone who didn’t die from natural circumstances and wasn’t even out of their 30s yet…..kudos
This is the second video of yours that I watched. You are doing a mind-blowing job by covering topics that are completely off the table. I enjoyed it as it was informative and educative. Thank you so much for going beyond the boundary!
My uncle died at our old abandoned house, by the time we got there it was already three weeks since he passed. No one knew how but me my brother and mother where going to get some stuff from the old house. My mother was skeptical why there was a strong amount of oddor and I suggested maybe just a dead rat but as time goes on all the facts where there and I didn't wat to believe it until we opened up the back door and saw him severely decomposed. It honestly traumatized me but I tried my best to help my mother then there's this morician who SINGLE HANDEDLY took care of my uncle's corpse, wrapped it with tape so his parts wont come off and proceed to carry him into a corpse bag. In all honesty, I respect these morticians who goes though all those trouble just so people could justbrest in peace.
You didn't have to help?
I've had to help a vet for a 50 lb dog, lol
@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 what
My great grandfather’s funeral was a few days ago and he’d passed away almost a month prior. I was kinda wondering how his body could keep up bc my family really wanted a viewing. Honestly, he looked pretty pristine :) the people in charge of taking care of his body did a great job and we had a smooth funeral service and he was able to be buried next to my great grandmother :)
I'd guess that preserving a body before decomposition is an entirely different thing than trying to restore it afterward.
Unmitigated Disaster yeah i didn’t think of that 😳 regardless, embalming is a pretty impressive thing :0
They could have had him in a cooler too.
As a police reservist I encountered more than a few bodies that were dead for a week or more. One case was of a student that fell asleep when potatoes were boiling on the gas stove and when the water boiled over, the gas flame was put out and she passed away from the gas. After more than a week the neighbours complained about a constant odor of gas. I can attest that there is one thing infinitely worse than a body that has been dead for a week and that is the same body that died from gas. From bitter experience, I can attest that the first thing you do when a maggot crawls form the mouth of a corpse is that you rapidly empty the contents of your own stomach.
She did not die from the gas. Indirectly yes, directly no. She died of asphyxiation due the the displacement of oxygen because of the release of gas.
@@aaronbrown6266 was that a necessary correction to make?
@@mydogeatspuke learned something, didn't you?
@@aaronbrown6266 yes, only you knew that natural gases displace oxygen and cause asphyxia 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
Yes! Eventually that trigger subsides a bit.
I just found your page and wow this is absolutely FASCINATING. Thank you for these videos. It kind of takes the "scary" stuff out of how we feel about dead bodies. =)