● The restorative artist may not achieve perfect presentation and should consult with the family before procedures begin. In most cases at least one family member will have already viewed the deceased so they will understand the degree of restoration required. ● A professional, qualified embalmer/restorative artist will be able to evaluate the situation very quickly and explain the options available and the time involved. Most families are willing to allow enough time if they are approached with professionalism and due respect. Consulting with families can be helpful for both parties and build rapport if approached correctly with the utmost respect shown toward the family. ● If a reasonable lifelike appearance can be achieved, the family will be eternally grateful and the viewing will ease the grieving process, which should be every funeral director’s goal. ○ Let it dry then cover with a product called DodgeSeal, which is a new product that works very well for sealing orifices, punctures, bullet holes, incisions, and deep wounds. 10. An electric tissue reducer or electric iron should be in every prep room. It works great in reducing swelling of the lips and eyelids. 11. Treating swollen eyes ○ For severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the vitreous humor. ○ Channel the upper eyelid, following the curvature of the skull, to create channeling to relieve the swelling. ○ Coat with massage cream and manipulate the fluid from the deep tissue. ○ After physically manipulating as much fluid as possible from the tissue, use the electric tissue dryer and if time allows, insert Webril® toweling into channels to wick the moisture away. 12. For ease of suturing, complete the following: ○ If you are right-handed, suture from right to left, or if left-handed suture from left to right. 13. If preparing for the final stages of substantial facial restoration, dress the remains and casket them to eliminate the chance of damaging extensive restorative efforts while handling the body. 14. Autopsy cases ○ Use mortuary putty over the cranial separation before replacing the scalp; manipulate the putty through the scalp and fill or hide the deficit. ○ Use tissue gatherers to assist holding suture lines together while suturing. 15. Donor/harvested cases: ○ Embalm on the bottom of the body pouch. ○ Always open the harvest sites of the upper arm and leg bones and treat the tissue in these sites with a strong cauterizing material, cover with cotton and wrap with plastic while you embalm. ○ If the skin was harvested, treat the area with cauterizing material and cover with plastic. ○ Try to ligate any severed arteries. ○ If time allows, let the body set for 12 hours, remove the cotton and plastic, retreat with more cauterizing material, then dry the tissue. ○ Use plastic garments before dressing the body. (See earlier product disclaimer) funeral professionals to plan restorative procedures to enhance their appearance at their funeral. Some of the requests include smoothing lines, plumping lips, and even lifting sagging areas for the funeral (Mapes, 2008). “People used to say, just throw me in a pine box and bury me in
● Some procedures will involve surgical skill, while others will require technical skill, but all require patience and time. ● Take short breaks to stop to look at the progress made. A little break away from the task at hand can shine a different light on the subject and make a big problem seem easier. ● Sometimes the sheer sight of the task to be undertaken can frighten even the most experienced restorative artist, but a little time, reflection, and careful planning can reveal that most things are possible. ● If the visually offensive area is removed and cleaned, the restorative artist can concentrate on the task at hand and repair the damaged area. ● The restorative artist must adopt a positive attitude and not associate the condition with human pain. Restorative art and the Canon of Beauty In the past, mortuary science students were taught to review and consider of the Canon of Beauty that was established in the fourth century by the Greek sculptor Polykleitos. The principles of the Canon of Beauty, or the aesthetic canon, were a set of mathematical calculations that represented the standard of human proportions that were considered the most pleasing to the eye. These were included in mortuary education as a way to teach human proportions and guide restoration. Some educational programs required the students to use these dimensions to totally design and create a face, so these proportions served as the foundation for those exercises. Restorative arts tips and techniques The following list includes a summary of the 2014 NFDA Conference presentation by Wallace P. Hooker (2014): 1. The first rule for a case involving any amount of restoration is to find a known feature and work with it. 2. For drying and treating open sores and wounds use a cauterizing chemical before embalming such as Dodge Dryene, SynGel, or mix the two to a gel-like consistency. 3. For facial suturing try dental floss with a hidden stitch. ○ Dodge has a great adhesive called Tech Bond that is faster and neater than suturing and will adhere to moist tissue. 4. For delicate areas of the face needing tissue building or subdural bleaching, or if you are using a cauterant, try using diabetic syringes. 5. When using Inr Seel to recreate sunken checks, use the Inr Seel applicator and overfill the area between the jaw and cheek on each side. 6. For extremely emaciated bodies, remember to be careful not to overdo it. The families have watched the downward progression for maybe months or years, so be careful not to turn back the clock too far. 7. To speed the softening of restorative waxes and make application simpler, use a handheld hair blow dryer. 8. For filling larger facial deficits, cover the missing area with mortuary putty, such as Dodge Inr Seal, and sculpt to shape. 9. For nonfacial surface dicing, scrapes, cancers, skin slip, or other possible sources of leakage, first cauterize the area with a product such as Dryene. Changing presentations and personalization for viewing The recent interest and demand for cosmetic surgery to improve appearance does not end with death. An NBC news documentary, entitled, Final Touch: A Cosmetic Lift for Your Funeral , interviewed several embalmers and restorative artists. The report found that many people are consulting
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