It's through the chest cavity that the doctor removes the tongue and windpipe. After removal, the doctor carefully examines all of the internal organs one at a time. The mortician then carefully cuts the scalp and saws through the skull to examine parts of the brain.
The mouth can be closed by suture or by using a device that involves placing two small tacks (one anchored in the mandible and the other in the maxilla) in the jaw. The tacks have wires that are then twisted together to hold the mouth closed. This is almost always done because, when relaxed, the mouth stays open.
The tongue protrusion is a common finding in some deaths for asphyxiation (e.g., hanging, incomplete strangulation), and the compression of neck tissues and vessels is considered the cause of the phenomenon.
The mouth is closed and the lower jaw is secured, either by sewing or wires. If the jaw is sewn shut, suture string is threaded through the lower jaw below the gums, up and through the gums of the top front teeth, into the right or left nostril, through the septum, into the other nostril, and back down into the mouth.
One of the most common questions people have about embalming is whether or not organs are removed. The answer is no; all of the organs remain in the body during the embalming process. Instead, the Embalmer makes small incisions in the abdomen and inserts tubes into the body cavity.
We don't remove them. You can use what is called an eye cap to put over the flattened eyeball to recreate the natural curvature of the eye. You can also inject tissue builder directly into the eyeball and fill it up. And sometimes, the embalming fluid will fill the eye to normal size.
Eyes and lips are not sewn or glued shut. During the embalming process, an "eye cap" is placed under each eyelid and over the eyeball. The eyes themselves may soften a little over time, but the eye cap helps to retain the shape of the eye. A Vaseline-like cream is placed on the lips to keep them together.
“I remove your tongue during an autopsy – we need to make sure you didn't bite down on it, make sure you don't have drugs in the back of your throat.
Shoes, socks, underwear, singlets, bras, briefs, hosiery and reading glasses are all used if the family so desires, and the deceased is dressed in them as they would be in life.
Trimming hair and nails
Generally, this emanates from the belief that nails and hair were given to the children by the deceased as a parent and as such they shouldn't be trimmed during the mourning period and after the burial. At least you should wait for 49 days.
Visions and Hallucinations
Visual or auditory hallucinations are often part of the dying experience. The appearance of family members or loved ones who have died is common. These visions are considered normal. The dying may turn their focus to “another world” and talk to people or see things that others do not see.
Within hours, blood is pulled downwards, causing splotches on the skin. Because the heart is no longer pumping blood around the body, it starts being pulled down by gravity. As the blood pools, patches appear on the skin within 30 minutes of death.
Open eyes at death may be interpreted as an indication that the deceased is fearful of the future, presumably because of past behaviors. Such an interpretation is invited in the newspaper headline 'Bomber McVeigh dies, eyes wide open,' referring to the execution of the Oklahoma City bomber.
Military mortuary workers and civilian body handlers in disaster settings can develop PTSD.
We use Neutrolen every day and can testify to how good it is. We use it at scene directly on bodies as well as in the morgue to control ongoing smells. This is a true product that does not overstate its effects.
It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. As part of funeral care, the body is dressed and preserved, with the prime focus on the face. Post embalming, bodies are often placed without shoes; hence covering the legs is the way to offer a dignified funeral.
The chemical formaldehyde is used to preserve bodies. What does it do exactly? Formaldehyde changes the tissue on a molecular level so that the bacteria can't feed on the tissue.
Comparatively, other studies on the general population have concluded that PTSD rates range from 1% (Helzer et al. 1987) to 8.3% (Kilpatrick et al. 2013). Regardless, this study suggests that PTSD rates among funeral professionals could be 20% or higher than the general population.
In time, the heart stops and they stop breathing. Within a few minutes, their brain stops functioning entirely and their skin starts to cool. At this point, they have died.
Embalming deals with a lot of poop.
"If a decedent won't stop defecating, then we have to pack the rectum with prep towel, and if all else fails, we may even suture the anus shut."
In order to preserve the dead body, it is embalmed with formaldehyde which is volatile and has a characteristic pungent, irritating odour. The body is further stored in a refrigerated environment.
Do bodies move during cremation? If a body is burned at a low enough temperature and quickly after death, movements are possible. Because of the efficiency of modern cremation chambers, however, the body immediately begins its dissolution, and movement is unlikely.
How long does it last? Embalming is not permanent as it only delays the natural process of death. Typically, it will preserve the body for around a week, but factors such as condition of the body and temperature conditions may affect this.