That Dead Body

Davey Jones

Well-known Member
Location
Florida
Speaking of Morgue in another topic.

It brought back bad memories when I first saw a real dead body in a coffin.
Back then in the 1950's some people would have the wake in the front room of their homes,this dead lady was a neighbor.
When my Mom took me to see her. Ill never forget that white face and the
death smell....I dont think she was even embalmed. I threw up at that smell cause my Mom keep telling me on the way home "How could you do that in front of all those people, I'm so embarrassed, show some respect".(g)
 

When I was a child, my mother never took me to any funerals. When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, a nun in my school had passed on and they had her laid out for us to say our last prayers and goodbyes. They had a white veil over her though, so we didn't see the body very well, it appeared to be more heavenly. I don't think I've ever seen a body that wasn't embalmed.
 
From what I just read an non embalmed body smells like..

Hints of sandalwood over a sweet muskiness with vanilla overtones.

Not that I think you care.(g)
 

My family believe in being cremated, with no viewing. We wait awhile until all that wish to pay their respects are able agree on a date to scatter the deceased remains. We do this in our own large pond in the back of our property. Then we pass out 8x11 card stock with a picture and personal history for everyone to have a keepsake.
 
I have seen a body that was not embalmed. When my son in laws mom passed five years ago,she was being cremated,so no embalming. But we went to see her at the funeral home the evening of the morning she passed and said our goodbyes. She was all dressed in her usual casual clothes and striped "toe socks"-you know,the ones that are like gloves with a place for each toe. So cute. She loved crazy socks and always gave gifts of crazy socks to people. I cherish the Eeyore socks she gave me :) Oh,and there was no smell at all-she was just very,very cold because they do refrigerate....
 
My first career I was a licensed Embalmer/Funeral Director with well over 1,000 embalmings and funerals to my credit.Properly prepared bodies should have no odor at all irrespective of whether or not they are embalmed.
 


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