Philippines Funeral Grim Trivia

Philippines Funeral Grim Trivia –

The following information covers some of the gloomy aspects of a funeral and can be disturbing.  The author agonized on whether to include these topics…which will tick-off those who profit, upset the OMG (oh my gosh) crowd and give the blog an off-color shade.   Since the blog is intended to develop smart and preparedness, leaving out these topics did not feel right.  Efforts, though, were taken to water-down these topics by leaving out details.

·      a) Witnessing an autopsy or instances of body preparation and reconstruction are a tough experience, certainly not for the faint-of-heart.  So tough that the author can not reconcile “rest in peace” with these procedures.  Instances when witnessing the procedure is necessary as when the person loved is young and attractive, common sense dictates vigilance.  No matter how high the integrity and the professionalism of the funeral home and its personnel and no matter how tough it is to witness these procedures, the author has observed that the depth of love for the departed is most evident at this stage of a funeral.   

    

·      b) When a viewing of the remains is to take place, a ‘pre-owned’ casket may be used without the knowledge of the bereaved.  The present popularity of cremations that follow a viewing have made ‘pre-owned’ caskets readily available.  An inspection of the casket prior to placement of the person loved will expose a ‘pre-owned’ one.  It goes without saying that if a ‘pre-owned’ casket is used, its cost should be less than a brand new one.

·      c) When a funeral home ‘manages’ to take possession of the remains without the knowledge and authorization of the bereaved, such as:

o              i)  when death results from tragic events and authorities                                      contact a ‘favored’ funeral home to attend to the victim;

o              ii) when death occurs in the absence of a relative; or

o              iii) when a funeral home has ‘favored arrangements’ with                                    a medical facility or its personnel;

the funeral home will likely proceed with unethical practices, abusing  the absence of the bereaved.  Add, a ‘pull-out’ fee will be imposed by the ‘favored’ funeral home before the deceased can be transferred to a preferred funeral home.  

·       d) The quality of body preparation and preservation will depend on the following:

·           i) the skill and professionalism of the morticians, 

·           ii) the array of facilities available to the morticians,

·           iii) the cause of death and the condition of the body, and

·           iv) the elapsed time from death to start of preparation.

·       

There are circumstances where even the experienced mortician having state-of-the-art training and access to the modern chemicals, equipment and facilities is unable to perform a proper preservation.  A ‘closed casket’ viewing results from such a situation. 

Proper body preservation process will allow viewing for several weeks.  When viewing has to be extended beyond the contracted period, additional charges to ‘extend body preservation’ is a questionable practice.

(July 23, 2014)

Post # 10

More to follow ….