As horrific as it may seem, someone has to carry the needle for the formaldehyde used to preserve the human tissue after death for it has become a tradition to view the body before burial. In a very informative and descriptive essay Jessica Milford's "Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain" explains the surgical operations performed, giving a full account of the undertaker's embalming procedure. Her tone was aggressive and bias to the gruesome details given if effort to attack the funeral industry. She clearly wanted point out to all of those who choose to view their love one’s body of their possibilities of being ‘blissfully ignorant of what it is all about, what is done, how it is done’. Milford’s explanation started from the preparation of the room to the ‘dyed and performed solution of formaldehyde, glycerin, borax, phenol, alcohol’ to name a few. Of course she didn’t stop there; she also pointed out the stitching of the lips and nostril to ‘for a more pleasant expression’ and closed cemented eyes.
I can’t imagine it being a pretty sight to do anything with a dead body. I understand Milford’s voice in the matter. However, I’m gratefully to the funeral homes and care takers because viewing a body before their effort can be devastating. I would like to be cremated myself and Milford only reinforced my choice.
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