Revista Dodge Invierno 2017

In our continuing efforts to become more
environmentally friendly, the Dodge home
office in Billerica, Massachusetts, a building of
80,000 square feet, housing 60 employees, converted
to solar power for our electric needs at the end of
May 2016. As of Thursday, November 17th, the system
had produced 135,000 lifetime kWh (kilowatt hours).
If you look at those numbers in another way, one that will
probably make more sense to most of us, you’ll see that
those 135,000 kWh are enough to:
· eliminate 111 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
· oﬀset the need for 16,348 gallons of gasoline
· charge 7,714 electric cars
· charge 34,250,345 Smartphones
· power one search engine data center for 6 days
· illuminate the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center for
5,510 nights or 15.09 years!
The decision-making team at Dodge understands the
importance of environmental stewardship, not only in
our product lines, but in the day-to-day operation of our
oﬃces. For many years we’ve recycled paper, cardboard,
and plastic and have used biodegradable “peanuts” for
shipping. The addition of solar panels will have an even
larger impact. Now we’re even happier when we see the
sun shining!
Dodge Goes Solar!
© 2017 THE DODGE COMPANY
Dodge home office – Billerica, Massachusetts
I

CONTENTS
Native Americans: Life and Death4 Jack Adams, CFSP, MBIE
Restoring Facial Measurements8 Karl Wenzel, CFSP, MBIE
The Challenge of Bruise Concealment: Part II10 Tim Collison, CFSP
Caring for Large Human Remains15
Dennis Daulton
The Fringe Beneﬁts21 Deborah Schlottman
Words Matter24 Glenda Stansbury, CFSP
Vicarious Traumatization and the Funeral Director28 Michael S. Burns
Beyond Cool!31 Jacquie Taylor, PhD
A Hair Divides…33 Jerome Burke
Published by
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E-mail: dodgemag@dodgeco.com
Winter 2017
The Cover
Winter Sunset,
Pemaquid Beach, Maine
Picture by Debbie Dodge
Editor
Keith Dodge
Assistant Editor
Kristin Doucet
Contributing Editors
Jack Adams
Karl Wenzel
Tim Collison
Dennis Daulton
Deborah Schlottman
Glenda Stansbury
Michael S. Burns
Jacquie Taylor
Jerome Burke
© 2017 The Dodge Company
Printed in U.S.A.
The opinions expressed by contributors to this
magazine are those of the authors and do not
necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher.
Most articles in this magazine are available as
reprints at our cost.
Quarterly Publication Dedicated to Professional Progress in Funeral Service
WINTER 2017 Volume 109 No. 1
W I N T E R 2 0 1 7
3

Last year, I presented a seminar in Wisconsin and
was pleasantly surprised to see a former student of
WorshamCollege.Hetraveledagooddistancetonot
only get educated but to let me know he had gotten
his funeral director’s and embalmer’s license from
the state of Minnesota. This doesn’t sound like an
extraordinary feat until we look at it closer. Robert
Gill, as far as we know, is now one of only three
NativeAmericans to hold an embalmer’s and funeral
director’s license in the United States, and one of
two who is active in the business. This is quite an
accomplishment when you realize there are over six
million NativeAmericans living in the United States.
He asked me to visit him to see firsthand some of the
customary Native American funeral services that he
offers. Rob works with the Chilson Funeral Home
in Minnesota who serve NativeAmericans in several
surrounding states. I took him up on the invitation,
not just because it sounded very interesting and
Rob is such a good guy, but he promised we could
experience some good South Dakota fishing waters.
How could I resist?
I flew into Minneapolis and we drove to
Watertown, South Dakota where I got a room at the
casino near the Dakota Nation Sioux Reservation.
The following day we went to the reservation
and visited some of their new amenities like
their community center and high school. During
this visit, I started learning the history of the
American Indians, their experiences, and about
the shortcomings regarding the fulfillment of many
promises and treaty obligations. I
don’t mean to sound like some sort
of an activist, but I’ll tell you some
things that I learned and observed.
I never really knew the historical
details and the consequences of
the early treaties and the lack of
accountability. I was surprised and
shocked to learn of the injustices
that they have experienced.
In earlier days, children were
taken from their parents and tribes
and put in schools designated by
the government. There was no
option to reject this policy. Their
education did not include any
of their ancestors’ teachings or
customs. It was meant to break
the chain of their customs and to
have the American Indian children
forget or not learn the ways of
their ancestors.
All people should have the right to know
where they came from and how they came to be.
The immigrants (really any person of a different
nationality than the Native Americans) took their
land, their children, and even their burial grounds.
The government took their vast lands in exchange
for restricted living on a reservation with food,
water, and services, but no more buffalo. Buffalo
were more than food: they were the key to their
independence and a spiritual symbol of their culture.
The reservation was like a prison without walls.
At one time the NativeAmericans were restricted to
the reservation unless special permission was given
to leave for short periods. If tribal members were
found off the reservation, strict penalties were given
including death.
In 1996, the courts found that nearly two
billion dollars was missing from bank accounts
managed by government officials intended for
the use of nearly three hundred thousand tribal
members. Ultimately the court found a century
long reign of mismanagement and violations of the
law and ordered massive reforms. From this, the
Federal Indian Trust Responsibility was born. The
need for reform still exists even though progress has
been made.
The new high school I visited is now accredited
with the state and allows the native children and
their parents a choice of education where they
can live at home and attend a school with full
accreditation and still learn about their customs
and heritage. Sometimes native students experience
harmful discrimination in the off the reservation
public schools, not only with students but even with
some teachers. Unbelievably, this unfair treatment
of native children still exists even though it’s not as
widespread as in the past.These are just some of the
observations I made visiting schools and talking to
various tribe members and their children.
The reservations brought with them forced
educational programming, new religious choices,
the condemnation of their customs and culture, and
even the abandonment of their burial grounds, all
of which had the effect of breaking the Indian spirit.
The newly accredited reservation schools are
now getting the students “college ready,” which
is a huge improvement. Getting work off the
reservation requires a good education and a fair
shake at employment. Many jobs are created by
reservations just like jobs at surrounding military
bases. Unfortunately, bureaucratic administrations
sometimes fill these jobs with politically connected
choices. Many qualified tribal members are
overlooked. I need to repeat that these are only
my personal observations and not the opinions of
everyone.
I happened to visit in May when preparations
were being made by a group of tribal families to
4The Dodge Magazine
Once the tipi
was raised and
reinforced, the
tribe held their
meeting and
allowed me to
sit in. I thought
this family-like
meeting was
wonderful. They
talked openly
about their goals
and any problems
within the tribe,
even personal
difﬁculties.
Native Americans: Life and Death
by Jack Adams, CFSP, MBIE
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6The Dodge Magazine
hold a rite of life ceremony named the Sundance,
which was going to take place the followingAugust.
There is a lot of work to do to prepare for this event
and it is planned and implemented over a four-
year period. The grounds where the event was to
take place were being groomed and prepared with
boundaries, banners, and a large tribal tipi was
being put up in which to conduct their meeting
regarding the coming event and to discuss the tribe’s
goals, problems, and solutions. I was asked to help
with the tipi and was allowed to work and take
some photos. It was a very windy day and the effort
required several helpers just to hold the tipi from
blowing off the foundations.
This day of working with the tribe was amazing.
I met many members of the tribe, from female
elders down to the very young. In this tribe, the
elder females are the voices of leadership and
wisdom.I found out that to be permitted to do what
I was now doing required the tribe taking a vote to
allow this older fellow from the Chicago area to join
in the tribal customs and traditional ceremonies. I
believe I was the first to be allowed this privilege.
They traditionally are private people as far as
letting outsiders into the fold for any purpose.They
treated me wonderfully, although a few members
were slower to accept this outsider, but as the visit
progressed any skepticism disappeared.
Once the tipi was raised and reinforced, the
tribe held their meeting and allowed me to sit in.
I thought this family-like meeting was wonderful.
They talked openly about their goals and any
problems within the tribe,even personal difficulties.
Each member was given an opportunity to talk.
When a problem or challenge arose, individuals
would pledge their help in time, equipment, money,
work, or just a person to talk to.What a great caring
family structure. They were all ready to help any
member or family who needed help.
The closest thing I can remember happening in
my family were family speak-outs. Once a month
after dinner, all members of the family were allowed
to make whatever statement or complaint they
wanted to make.The key was, you could complain
about your sibling,teacher,or even a parent without
any punishment.That was the point of the meeting.
It was a good thing.
The tipi ceremony was more structured and
the female elders, as well as the reigning chief of
the tribe, gave their opinions on everything. The
Matriarch had the last say before a vote was taken
about any action on the floor. Of course, I had no
voting right and just being from Chicago made me
a suspicious character. However, I was allowed to
listen, sing, and dance. I didn’t know the words but
I tried to hum along and move my feet the way the
members did. After a while I felt like I was getting
the hang of it. They deeply feel their prayers are
delivered through song and dance.
They made their final arrangements and pledges
for work to be done on the upcoming Sundance.
The Sundance is one of the rites that occurs on a full
moon phases of a four-year cycle of the Sundance.
The Sundance is held anywhere from June 21st to
August 21st, according to moon and sun phases.
(This confuses me, too.) It goes on for four days
with various traditions performed.The dancers do
their dance for the entire four days with water and
bathroom breaks only. I believe this whole process is
symbolic of a cleansing and a new beginning of life. I
didn’t experience the Sundance but someday I hope
to, but I’ll pass on being one of the dancers.
When the day of work was done, I was asked
by the elder female and a few of the members if I
wanted to join in on the sweat lodge ceremony. I
said yes not knowing what it was but feeling like it
was the respectful answer. On the way to the lodge,
some of the young members were having a friendly
competition of knife throwing. Rob and I walked
up and before I knew it they were showing me how
to hold this large Bowie knife. I tried a practice
toss and didn’t hit the target but when the bet was
on I shocked myself and some of the young tribe
members by hitting and sticking into the tree target
two out of three times.That was enough to make me
a part of the leader board at the end.
Robert told me to take a swimsuit for the sweat
lodge. An experienced tribal member had started
the rock fire about three hours before the sweat
lodge ceremony. The fire was kept burning full
flame in order to heat the special rocks put into the
sweat lodge.
The sweat lodge resembled a round, flat-top
tent about four feet high. It was insulated with
various animal hides and some rubber sheeting.
The wind was gusting to 45 miles an hour, so this
fire was made with skill and enclosed with an
outer foundation of logs which broke the wind and
allowed it to burn safely and effectively.
When it was determined the rocks were hot
enough, the elder females entered first and the
others entered in a respectful order. I just followed
their direction and was second from last of nine to
enter. The chief was handed a bucket of the very
hot, special rocks. Once the rocks were carefully
placed in a central round space, he poured water
on the rocks to create steam.The lodge was closed
and within a short period of time I was soaking wet
with sweat. All I had was a towel and my bathing
suit. This ceremony was about purification of
oneself and a reset or new start to help with life’s
challenges. Prayers were sung and statements were
The sweat lodge
resembled a
round, ﬂat-top
tent about four
feet high. It was
insulated with
various animal
hides and some
rubber sheeting.
Sweat Lodge

made with many references to sacred animals such
as the buffalo, eagle, and turtle. One incredible part
was when each member in the pitch black oven-
like lodge was given a chance to openly pray for a
personal request or family problem.
It’s kind of like what goes on in the tent stays
in the tent. All of the participants in the lodge
participated in this, including me. It really was a
different and memorable form of prayer. I asked
for some help with personal issues and my invisible
neighbors in the lodge prayed with me.After you say
your prayer or voice your wishes, others in the tent
echo your prayer and also ask the spirits to help you.
You certainly leave this experience believing in God
or a higher spirit that is reached through the animal
spirits like the eagle and buffalo.
The eagle and buffalo among other animals are
very significant to Native Americans.The buffalo is
brave and not afraid of big storms.The eagle soars
close to heaven and also was the main help of survival
during the big floods of past centuries.When Native
Americans took to the highlands during the floods,
the eagle provided enough food to help the people
survive when no other food was available.The eagle
delivers prayers and spiritual requests to the heavens
with very special delivery.
I was glad I was able to hold up in this heat for
about one and a half hours without passing out or
leaving the tent.They kept checking on each other’s
physical condition throughout the ceremony.There
were a few breaks when they briefly opened the
tipi’s small doors to get more water for the rocks
and breath some fresh air. This was also the only
time you could see the other participants in the
sweat lodge. I was honored and privileged to be the
first non-tribal person allowed to attend a Dakota
Nation Eagle Sundance meeting and Sweat Lodge
Ceremony.
After the ceremonies, we went to the burial
ground established on the reservation. Because their
burial grounds and land had been taken, Robert has
taken a part of his land on the reservation and made
it a burial ground. He took me to the burial sites of
his father, grandfather, uncle, and family members
of close friends. He explained about the traditional
canopy burials where remains were wrapped in
buffalo hides and placed on a scaffold for four days
before burial. Originally this four-day period was
the beginning of the body returning to its natural
state and it was also a good test to make sure death
had occurred.
A traditional funeral had been done for his
uncle to honor his wishes, with the exception of
the scaffold being used for only one day of prayer to
symbolize tradition.
Robertnowofferstraditionalfuneralcustomsto
the Native American families he serves through the
funeral home. Many Native American families have
lost the traditions because many non-native funeral
homes haven’t offered custom related funerals and
many of the new generation of tribes are members
of churches such as Catholic or Lutheran. Being one
of a very few Native American funeral directors,
Robert explains the customs and options for some
customary Indian burial rights and
ceremonies. A large majority of the
new generation of Native Americans
choose a blended funeral, one with
current church ceremony as well as
some customary funeral practices.
These customs may include dressing
their loved one in traditional dress,
moccasins, and ribbon shirt.An eagle
feather is present with a buffalo robe.
A picture or embroidery is used to
express that this person was a Native
American by birthright. Real photos are preferred
to replicas. Many Native American families are
choosing some traditional symbols or customs of
their Native American heritage for their funeral
arrangements.
Because Robert is now one of two practicing
licensed Native American funeral directors, he’s
kept busy. The word has spread about his firm’s
unique service and offerings, and this calls for a
lot of traveling. Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and
South Dakota are some of the places he travels to.
The arrangements are normally two or three hours
long. When making arrangements people trust
someone who understands their needs and customs.
Burial funds are available from the government
through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Administration fees from a tribal BIA vary, leaving
an average of only $2,400 of the $5,000 agreed
upon amount. The part of the $5,000 the family
receives can be as high as $4,500 or as low as $500
depending on fees and politics in their tribal system.
This benefit, even if it’s small, can make the family
ineligible for any state or county funds. Some richer
tribes, with casinos or profitable businesses such as
lumber acreage, will sometimes have additional life
insurance for tribe members. Basically, the funeral
director has to search for federal benefits, tribal
benefits, and any local programs that may help
provide funeral funds for their mostly poor Native
American clientele. The over six million Native
American Indians in the United States deserve
to be treated respectfully in life and at death. The
treaties and trust doctrines are in place and it is the
responsibility of Congress to ensure the welfare and
survival of the Indian tribes and people.
References:
The Rights of Indians and Tribes, Steven Pevar (Oxford University
Press, 2012)
Cohen’s Handbook of Federal Indian Law, Neil Jessup Newton, Robert
Anderson, et al. (LexisNexis, 2012)
7 Winter 2017
We went to the
burial ground
established on
the reservation.
Because their
burial grounds
and land had
been taken,
Robert has taken
a part of his land
on the reservation
and made it a
burial ground.
Jack is Dodge’s busiest embalming educator and
lecturer. Along with working for Dodge as a
sales representative in northern Illinois, he is an
Embalming Lab Instructor atWorsham College.
JackAdams, CFSP, MBIE
Traditional Canopy Burial

In any difficult trauma situation an embalmer can
be challenged to restore a natural, identifiable
appearance of a victim for viewing.As an embalmer
our goal is to present an identifiable, recognizable
image of a person that is well-embalmed and
presentable so a family may have an opportunity
to have a final goodbye. This can be difficult when
trauma is so extensive that bone is shattered or
even missing altogether from the facial structure
of an individual. Often embalmers are called upon
to replace or replicate missing bone
and even facial structure to create that
life-like image. This is a challenging
task that takes not only skill but also
extensive knowledge on “how to” to
be effective. As we know, the slightest
abnormality in the structure of the
facial bone or tissue can be amplified
to the eye of a person that knows the
individual.This creates a new challenge
for the embalmer. Let’s take a look on
how to effectively recreate facial measurements for
restorative purposes.
First thing with any embalming,
and certainly a must for any restorative
work, is to acquire a photograph of
the individual. The photograph should
be one that is as recent as possible and
one that has not been photoshopped.
In today’s world with cell phones and
“apps” it is not uncommon that the
picture you were sent by someone has
been enhanced or altered in some way.
These alterations may only “confuse” the
embalmer as measurements may not line
up with the structure you’re working on, changing
your end results. Ideally, several different angles,
including a profile shot, are required. Profile shots
are important as they allow the embalmer to view
the projections and depressions of the facial features.
Remember that when looking at a photograph,
shadows indicate a depression and highlights signify
a projection. The embalmer should take into
consideration the angle at which the picture was
taken and often refer to these images for reference
when completing restorative work. Working with
several good up-to-date photographs is imperative
and knowing how to use them effectively is your key
to success.
We know from our days in mortuary school that
the face is divided into three equal lengths, running
from the normal hairline to the base of the chin.
Broken down it is:
1.The hairline to the eyebrows.
2.The eyebrows to the base of the nose.
3.The base of the nose to the base of the chin.
We can then further divide the lower third of
the face into three equal parts.
1.The base of the nose to the lip closure line.
2.The line of the lip closure to the top of the
chin.
3.The top of the chin to the base of the chin.
(Fig.1)
The measurements of the features of the face
can be determined in a similar way by breaking
everything down in thirds.
1.The length of the nose is equal to the length
of the ear.
2. The width of the nose at the nostrils is
equal to the width of one eye.
3.The first two joints of the index finger is
equal to the length of the nose. (Fig.2)
These are great “standard rule of thumb”
measurements that give an embalmer an idea of the
facial and feature measurements. However, when
doing a major reconstructive case we need to be far
more precise with our measurements and we can get
these from the photographs provided by the family.
The most important thing, as mentioned,
is a good quality, unedited recent picture of the
individual. Preferably it is a picture of only that
individual and relatively close-up.The first thing we
need to do is make a copy of the photograph so as
not to damage the original.When doing this we set a
ruler down beside the image, both length and width
wise, so our photocopy has a point of latitude and
longitude. This will be our point of measurement.
At this point the image may be enlarged, if need be,
as long as the enlargement includes these points of
measurements. (Fig.3)
We now have our source of measurement that
we can compare to
a measurement of
reality. With a case
of traumatic injuries
often the features of
the face are destroyed
or shifted to a point
of unrecognizability.
Sometimes in these
cases it can be difficult
to find a portion of
the facial area that is
unaltered. Bone and
tissue of the face can
break and shift out
of proportion. It is
8The Dodge Magazine
Restoring Facial
MeasurementsWe know from
our days in
mortuary school
that the face is
divided into three
equal lengths,
running from the
normal hairline
to the base of the
chin.
It is imperative
that we ﬁnd
something to
measure on the
body that we can
compare to in
the photograph. I
have often found
great success in
the ear.
by Karl Wenzel, CFSP, MBIE
(Fig.1)
(Fig.2)
(Fig.3)

imperative that we find something to measure on
the body that we can compare to in the photograph.
I have often found great success in the ear.The ear
is made up of cartilage and even when traumatic
injuries are involved, in most cases, at least one ear
is usable.The ear is resilient and will hold its normal
shape even when inflicted with blunt trauma. If the
ear is lacerated it is easy to hold back in shape to take
its measurements.
Take the measurement of the ear in reality
(from the remains). Then take the measurement
of the same ear from the photograph provided.
From here we take those two measurements and
divide the reality measurement by the photograph
measurement.
As an example, the ear in reality is 63.81mm
and when it’s divided by the 28.61mm in the photo,
it equals 2.23mm.
What this means is all measurements from the
photograph need to be multiplied by 2.23 to get an
accurate measurement in reality. Make sense? Take
your own measurements to practice.
Measure the width of your mouth in a natural
closure state. Mine is 63.46mm.Then measure your
mouth in a photograph, posing in the same man-
ner. In my photograph my mouth is 29.27mm. If
we divide those two, 63.46 divided by 29.27mm,
it equals 2.16. If you look closely that was my ear
I measured earlier and compared it to the same
picture.The mathematical results are almost identi-
cal, 2.23 for the ear and 2.16 for the mouth.We are
talking about 7/100mm difference.
Let’s look at that and compare that in reality.
Take the width of my eyes from outer left eye to
outer right eye. In my photo it was 47.04mm. If you
multiply that by 2.23 it equals 104.89mm. If you
multiply it by 2.16 it equals 101.61mm. That’s a
difference of approximately 3mm.What I am getting
at is we will never be able to do a restoration that is
exactly perfect in measurements, but I am certain
we can come as close to it as humanly possible.Take
a look at 3mm and you decide if you think the naked
eye could determine that difference when looking at
human remains. I don’t think so.
With this mathematical formula we now can
take measurements from the photograph given to us
and get the structural measurements close to reality
when rebuilding the facial structure.
Remember when rebuilding fractured bone that
we must make sure when we realign the fractured
pieces they fit tightly together. When dealing with
multiple fractures of the skull we can create great
discrepancies if each fractured piece is off 1/16 of
an inch.Those structural features can quickly be off
a ½ to ¾ of an inch now, creating a visible difference
to the human eye.
Now that we have the basic structural
measurements down and rebuilt, we should focus
on the depression and projections of the facial area.
Again we can use the photograph, or in some cases,
we will use more of a scientific approach. For this
article let’s look at the nose. It is one feature that we
all have but that differs from individual to individual.
Should the nose be destroyed due to trauma or in
9 Winter 2017
We have
the scientiﬁc
resources to tell
us the information
we need for the
reconstruction
of difﬁcult
cases. Facial
measurements
when
reconstructing
these cases are
the key to your
success.
Karl is the Coordinator of Technical Education
and Training for the Dodge Company.
He worked for the Arbor Group (largest
independent funeral service chain in Canada)
for six years as their Manager of Decedent
Care and Preparational Development. Karl
has been a licensed embalmer since 1997
and is licensed in Ontario. He is the Fountain
NationalAcademy CanadianAmbassador.
KarlWenzel, CFSP, MBIE
some cases due to illnesses
such as cancer, we may have to
rebuild it from nothing.
We know that using the
“standard rule of thumb,”
the nose width is equal to
the width between the inner
canthus of the right and left
eye (Fig. 2).We also know that
we can use our mathematical
formulation to determine the
width of the nose using the
photograph. If we have a side
view photograph we can figure
out the projection of that nose
as well, but what if we weren’t
provided one? Now we have
to scientifically figure it out.
Recreating the nose, if done
correctly, is usually the most
accurate feature rebuilt. The
projection of the nose is easily
determined by measuring
the bony nasal spine and
multiplying that measurement
by three. This should give you
the septal cartilage size in life.
The more accurate the measurement the greater
accuracy your projection of the nose will be. (Fig.4)
If the case allows, or you wish a more accurate
nose width,you may also measure the bony aperture
of the nose and add 10mm for Caucasoids (add 5mm
each side) and 16mm for Negroids (add 8mm each
side). (Fig.5)
As you can see we have the scientific resources
to tell us the information we need for the
reconstructionofdifficultcases.Facialmeasurements
when reconstructing these cases are the key to
your success for the families you’re serving. Cases
that require this in-depth work are intimidating,
but we have the means to succeed.There is lots of
forensic literature and articles out there guiding us
on the correct path, use it. Remember that quote,
“Knowledge is the key to success.”
References:
Sanders, C. Richard.“Introduction to
RestorativeArt, Part 2”. The Dodge Magazine,
January 1980
Taylor, Karen. Forensic Art and Illustration
(Fig.4)
(Fig.5)

10The Dodge Magazine
Bruises are one of the biggest obstacles embalmers/
cosmetologists deal with when preparing the
deceased for viewing. In the previous article, we
looked at various causes, and we determined that
the first step in successfully concealing bruises is
preserving the underlying tissues. Once we have
preserved and stabilized the bruised area, our
cosmetic treatment will undergo much less change
during the viewing period. None of us wants to be
constantly adjusting a cosmetic treatment because it
continues to fade or starts to show the underlying
discoloration.
When dealing with very dark bruising, the
technique of‘undercoating’ can be very helpful.As I
mentionedpreviously,thereareseveralwaystocover
a bruised area. The one constant is that sufficient
masking cosmetic needs to be used to eliminate
the discoloration. Over the years, my preferred
technique has been to undercoat the discoloration
with a cosmetic which will cover it, dry, and adhere
well to the epidermal surface.While opaque creams
will cover almost any bruise, they do not dry well,
and are subject to being rubbed off or disrupted by
contact. Another common occurrence is that most
opaque cream cosmetics are
oil or paraffin-based, and
when the underlying tissue
is not well preserved, they
tend to absorb into the skin
surfaces, and lose some of
their covering ability. For
these reasons, I will generally
use either a spray undercoat
such as Dodge Undercoat, or
a liquid paint, such as Dodge
Perma Pigment.Both of these
cosmetics can be applied to
be completely opaque, they
will dry to a hard, firm finish,
and cosmetic can be applied
over them to complete the
color matching necessary for
the best appearance.
As an example, an indi-
vidual whom I was cosmetiz-
ing had developed dehydra-
tion on the lip surfaces after
being held in refrigeration
for several days. After a Restorative pack had been
applied to the mucous membranes prior to and dur-
ing the embalming, the mouth was preserved and
posed correctly. However, the brown, discolored lip
surfaces remained. (Fig.1)
After considering my options, I chose to
undercoat the mucous membranes using Light
Basic Perma Pigment. This cosmetic covered and
neutralized the discoloration and I was then able to
use a standard application of a lip cosmetic, rather
than having to resort to a heavier, more opaque
application, which would have filled in the natural
sulci. (Fig.2)
This deceased individual also had some
extensive bruising on the right side of his face
extending into the forehead. Overall, the bruising
affected approximately 35% of his face. This leads
us into the topic of cosmetic extension and how to
control it through a technique called reduction.
Many times, we don’t consider the amount of
pigmentation which is in mortuary cosmetics. A
good example of this is when we are applying warm
color to the cheekbones of a deceased individual,
and while we think we only have a small amount of
cosmetic on the brush, when it is applied, it seems
to have multiplied ten-fold.We then either remove
the cosmetic and start over, or more commonly, we
see if we can possibly blend it in to the surrounding
area so that it appears natural. Often at this point,
we have lost a little perspective on the appearance
of the deceased, until someone else walks into the
room and asks if the person had a sunburn when they
died.Another point at which we may notice that the
deceased is too red is if they are placed under any
type of cosmetic lighting, which tends to intensify
red tones.While over application of cosmetics which
are primarily red tones is more easily noticed, most
mortuary cosmetics,including the complexion-tone
browns, are also heavily pigmented and often over
applied.
Using our previous example, where approxi-
mately 35% of the face was discolored, while the
other 65% was unaffected, the choice was wheth-
er to apply an opaque cosmetic to the entire face,
or only to the affected area and then color-match
the remainder of the face. A standard of mortuary
cosmetology is to use the least amount of cosmetic
to produce a natural appearance. So the choice in
this case was to camouflage the bruise, and then
The Challenge of Bruise
Concealment: Part II
by Tim Collison, CFSP
None of us wants
to be constantly
adjusting a
cosmetic treatment
because it
continues to fade
or starts to show
the underlying
discoloration.
(Fig.1)
(Fig.2)

It’s 3AM. You’re here instead of home.
in the morning and they need to know
that everything will be OK.

color-match the face. By doing so, you don’t hide
any natural facial markings, moles, or freckles, the
identifiable skin characteristics found on anyone’s
face.The tricky part, of course, is transitioning from
opaque to translucent.This is where controlling col-
or extension and reducing the cosmetic comes into
play.While developing this technique can take some
practice, the results are definitely worth it.
The complexion of the deceased we were
cosmetizing was light Asian.This was evident by his
facial features and a higher carotene content to his
skin color.To neutralize the color of the bruised area,
I decided to apply Light Basic Perma Pigment to the
immediate area of the discoloration. To begin the
application of cosmetic, his skin was first cleansed of
any residual massage cream using Dry Wash II.The
cosmetic was then applied using a brush, continuing
to the border of the discolored area to hide the dark
tissue, but not extending into the unaffected skin
surface. During the application of the cosmetic, I
placed a spot of cosmetic on the bruised surface,
then lightly tapped it with a 1” powder tamping
brush. This pushed the cosmetic into the skin
surface, reducing the artificial appearance of the
cosmetic. If the discoloration was still viewable
after the stippling, I would then reapply additional
cosmetic, repeating the process until the bruise was
completely hidden.
Using a clean, ½” round soft stippling brush,
I began eliminating the line of demarcation by
stippling out from the bruise, limiting it to a ¼”
border into the normal skin. While doing so, I
repeatedly removed cosmetic from the brush, by
cleaning it with a disposable towel. This reduction
process allows the cosmetician to hide the line
of demarcation without extending the cosmetic
unnecessarily far into the unbruised skin surface.
When I had finished this process, I allowed the
cosmetic to dry.
After the undercoated area had dried, I then
selected cosmetics which I felt would as closely
as possible match his normal complexion color.
Because of the large surface area involved, two
different colors were chosen, to recreate the normal
color variegation seen in all complexions. In this
case, we used Natural and Suntan Perma Pigments.
Attempting to keep the darker of the cosmetics, the
Suntan, in areas which are naturally shadowed, such
as the temple, the orbit of the eye, and the receding
planes of the cheek, and then applying the Natural
in normally highlighted areas such as the cheekbone,
the top of the eyelid, and the supra-orbital
eminences, the cosmetics were blended to the point
where the lines of demarcation were eliminated.
While the cosmetics were being applied to the
bruised area, at the same time the same combination
was being lightly applied to the normal skin surfaces
to achieve color matching. An adjustment to the
overall complexion color was made by spotting in
small amounts of Peach Perma Pigment, then lightly
stippling to increase the carotene character of the
skin. A light application of a red tone cosmetic was
applied to the warm color areas of the face, then a
brunette powder was applied with a powder blower
to finish.An advantage of using Perma Pigments for
the majority of an application of this type is that
when the cosmetic has dried and is stable, cream
cosmetics may be used over it to add facial markings
such as moles and freckles, as well as hiding
blemishes which may pop up later.
Bruise concealment is a combination of
technique and materials. You can have great
technique, but without the proper cosmetics, or
cosmetic shades, it will be difficult to recreate a
natural appearance. Following, is a list of the Dodge
cosmetic shades and types which I find most helpful
when dealing with dark discolorations.
I did not list any of the warm color cosmetics
which would also be used, since blending of these
cosmetics by the cosmetician generally produces the
best results.
A good way to stock your cosmetic selection
is with the Complete Cosmetician Kit, in either
the Light or Dark version. Either of these kits will
provide you with a comprehensive selection of
products.
Our ultimate desire is to create a comfortable
and recognizable image for those viewing the
deceased. Practicing and working with various
cosmetic media will allow you to find your comfort
zone when dealing with large discolorations.
You can have
great technique,
but without the
proper cosmetics,
or cosmetic
shades, it will
be difﬁcult to
recreate a natural
appearance.
A good way
to stock your
cosmetic
selection is with
the Complete
Cosmetician Kit,
in either the Light
or Dark version.
to
Tim isVice President of Sales & Marketing for
Dodge. He is a regular presenter at the Dodge
Seminars and is a licensed funeral director and
embalmer in the State of Michigan.
Lighter Complexions Darker Complexions
Natural Kalon Pigment Suntan Kalon Pigment
Ivory Kalon Pigment Light Suntan Kalon Pigment
Suntan Kalon Pigment Dark Suntan Kalon Pigment
Light Suntan Kalon Pigment Light Brown Kalon Pigment
Peach Kalon Pigment Dark Brown Kalon Pigment
Tangerine Kalon Pigment Tan Kalon Pigment
Tan Kalon Pigment Medium or Dark Undercoat
Medium Undercoat Dark Basic Perma
Light Basic Perma Suntan Perma
Suntan Perma Light Brown Perma
Natural Perma LightArab Perma
Peach Perma DarkArab Perma
Dark Basic Perma Light Egyptian Perma

Case of 24 (16 oz. Bottle)
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PROFLOW — THE NEXT-GENERATION PRE AND
COINJECTION CHEMICAL FOR ARTERIAL EMBALMING
For Professional
Embalming Use Only
Proflow utilizes Dodge Cosolvent technology which has never before been used in embalming chemicals.
Combined with a blend of high performance wetting agents and surface tension modifiers, Proflow
provides unmatched perfusion and distribution of preservative embalming solutions.
· Fully compatible with Dodge arterial and
coinjection chemicals.
· Conditions arteries, increases lubrication and
pliability, and provides superior and uniform
color distribution.
· Provides excellent embalming performance in
emaciated and medicated cases.
· Free from oils, silicone, lanolin and other
traditional raw materials.
· Highly effective in a wide range of pH and
water hardness conditions.
· Contains no formaldehyde, phenol,
methanol, isopropyl alcohol, or any other
toxic or highly flammable ingredients.
· Recommended use is 16 oz. per gallon.

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Our limestone-based Cultured Marble Urns combine attractive
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The Cultured Marble Urns have been
compression tested for burial.

15 Winter 2017
I do not like the word obese. I find the connotation
to be offensive and sometimes cruel, especially to
those who are severely overweight, and to those of
us who are in a constant struggle to maintain our
weight. However, there is no denying that folks are
bigger than what they used to be.
I’ve read that the average weight of a male in
the U.S. in 1962, the year I began working in funeral
service, was 166 pounds. Today medical literature
reports that the average weight is around 195
pounds. My barometer to judge increasing weights
is to compare the height and weight of high school
and college football lineman of 50 years ago to those
playing today. Not all large people are classified as
obese. Some are just simply big.
I can safely say that of the last eleven bodies I’ve
embalmed, eight were over 350 pounds. The ages
ranged from early 20’s to late 70’s. Over the years
it seems to me that I have embalmed many folks
who were thin and trim in their 40’s and 50’s and a
number who were overweight in their 80’s.
Once the artery and vein are located the
embalming process seems to proceed smoothly.
The vessels in a very large body appear to me to be
smaller than average, but there rarely seems to be a
distribution problem.We are grateful for this because
raising the femoral and auxiliary arteries and veins
can be especially challenging on a multiple point
injection. Raising the jugular vein and carotid artery
can also be difficult. Most challenging for me is the
positioning of the body on body rests which greatly
enhances the penetration of the chemical to the back
of the body.They also allow for a cleaner preparation
area, both on the body and on the table.
A primary concern is the initial retrieval of the
remains from the place of death to the funeral home.
A colleague recently related to me that her funeral
home was called late one evening regarding the death
of a 27-year-old male who was at a local hospital.
The hospital alerted her that the deceased weighed
well over 1,000 pounds. Due to right of privacy laws
not all medical personnel will mention the size or
condition of a deceased. My feeling is that the funeral
homehastherighttoknow.Weneedtoworktogether
and to be prepared. Several times I have gone to a
hospital alone only to have to call upon colleagues for
assistance due to the extreme size of the deceased.
Although the firm in question is a very busy one,
they had never before been called upon to handle such
a large body. The family had a cemetery lot where
they wanted full interment without embalming.That
took some of the pressure off. If cremation had been
desired I doubt any crematory in the metropolitan
area could have accommodated this request.
The funeral director immediately put in a call to
her local burial vault company. The morgue where
bodies are removed from exits directly into a garage
that can accommodate trucks. The deceased was
wheeled into the garage and hoisted onto the bed
of the burial vault truck by hooking the chain to the
bariatric lifter sling. Artificial greens were gently
placed over the blanketed deceased and he was driven
under darkness to the garage of the funeral home.
Once at the funeral home they placed several sheets
of heavy plywood on top of two church trucks placed
side-by-side, followed by several 6’ x 2” x 6” boards
to add to the stability, covered with sheets, and then
they placed the deceased onto this makeshift bier.
Fortunately, there were renovations going on at the
funeral home and they had access to the wood at this
late hour.The following day the vault truck returned
with an oversized cement burial vault.The deceased
was discretely and respectfully placed into the vault,
the cover was set in place,and the deceased was taken
to the cemetery for interment.
On a late Sunday evening several years ago,
I got a phone call from a colleague about a house
death he was summoned to. The report from the
police was that the individual was on the second
floor and weighed about 400 pounds. Not exactly.
Actually he was on the third floor, face down in a
small bedroom, and he weighed over 550 pounds
according to his family. Four of us funeral directors
promptly arrived, along with two funeral home
assistants. We were met by two local policemen.
The bedroom, hallway, and stairway were small and
narrow. With great effort we rolled the deceased
over and into a heavy duty disaster pouch which we
were unable to totally zip up. I hate to use the word
drag, but that is what we were forced to do, down
the three flights of stairs to the awaiting MiniMAXX®
Ferno-Washington Cot we had placed outside
the home. Fire department personnel and heavy
equipment personnel, such as crane operators, are
sometimes called upon to assist with the removal of
very large individuals.
I rode back to the funeral home with one of
the funeral home assistants who is a retired local
policeman. He made the comment that I might
see many overweight people out in public, but as a
policeman in the course his duties, he saw many
housebound, extremely large, morbidly overweight
people, who never leave their homes except by
ambulance or by funeral home personnel.
There are times embalmers welcome a direct
cremation or burial without embalming because of
the extreme condition of the deceased. Although
we realize this may not be good for the long term
mental health of some, it sure takes the pressure off
the staff. But when a family requests embalming and
viewing, and it appears to be a possibility, we need to
get the body to the funeral home, to safely place it on
The hospital
alerted her that
the deceased
weighed well
over 1,000
pounds. Due
to right of
privacy laws
not all medical
personnel will
mention the size
or condition of a
deceased.
by Dennis Daulton
Caring for Large
Human Remains

Owning a body
lifting device is
not a luxury, it is
a necessity.
My guess is
that most of
us sympathize
with those who
are severely
overweight
rather than
criticize and
ﬁnd fault with
their condition.
They, too,
must be served
by funeral
professionals
someday.
the embalming table, to adequately and thoroughly
prepare it, dress it, and ultimately place it into a
casket.
Consider owning an oversized removal cot
such as a MAXX®
or MiniMAXX®
manufactured by
Ferno-Washington, Inc. The latter is a bit narrower
but rated for the same 1,000 pounds and can fit into
a van or removal vehicle alongside another cot.Often
times we don’t know the size of a body until we arrive
at the scene of death.
Owning a body lifting device is not a luxury,
it is a necessity. There are several choices but you
get what you pay for.The cost of this equipment is
overshadowed by what it would cost if funeral home
personnel get hurt,and time is lost from work.In the
past several years I have had both my knees replaced.
My guess, and my orthopedic surgeon agrees, is that
I might have gone a few years longer with my God-
given-knees if I hadn’t lifted so many heavy bodies,
sometimes alone. Don’t do it. Consider buying a lift.
Also consider using a smooth mover, scoops, and
lifting bars when required.
An incision spreader is necessary to have in
your embalming room or trade embalming kit. On
the very large body, even when utilizing the carotid
artery and jugular vein, this instrument is required to
spread the tissue away from the incision site to better
locate and raise the vessels for injection and drainage.
Ferno-Washington now offers side extension
panels for their embalming tables.This prevents the
tissue from hanging over the side of the table and will
keep liquids from overflowing onto the floor.
For additional information regarding the actual
embalming process, strength of solution, pressure
and flow, see “Increase in Obese Cases” by Jack
Adams, Dodge Magazine, June 2006.
Due to the increasing size of individuals, a wel-
coming and safety consideration would be to have at
least several bariatric chairs for funerals and visita-
tions. Dodge has partnered with Holsag Company of
Canada who offer a wide range of seating for funeral
homes, nursing homes, universities, etc. Their chairs
are made from 100% European beech hardwood and
are built to last.Visit www.holsag.com and then contact
your Dodge rep for assistance in ordering.
InformationIcameacrosspublishedbyBethIsrael
Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
states, “…we have slowly begun to understand that
obesity is a disease—a chronic disease that requires
medical attention. We now believe that obesity is a
complex condition with genetic, environmental,
cultural, and psychological causes. It is a mistake
to ‘blame’ extreme obesity on a simple lack of
willpower.”
Itisreportedthatobesityisnowthesecondleading
cause of death in the U.S.The only other preventable
condition that kills more people is cigarette smoking.
Obesity and obesity related diseases kills an estimated
300,000 people per year.That means 300,000 phone
calls to funeral homes.Your firm could be called next.
Other conditions related to obesity, besides shame,
guilt, and depression, are sleep apnea, heart disease,
high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, and
several types of cancer.
Several years ago my wife and I welcomed
new neighbors next door. The couple were both
educators in their late fifties, friendly, and courteous.
They lived in their home for about six years, then
retired and moved south to a warmer climate. The
husband weighed around 430 pounds. It was the
spring of the year when they arrived. As I noticed
his grass starting to grow, I quickly fired up my lawn
mower and cut it.And I continued to cut it for several
years fearing that it would be too much for him to do.
During that time he went on a drastic self-imposed
weight loss program and dropped his weight down to
212 pounds … a loss of 218 pounds. He was pleased
and we were all proud of him.There was talk about
him going on a cable television program to explain
how he did it,and also to have large masses of hanging
skin surgically removed from his legs.The doctors he
spoke with all said he needed to wait a year before
taking such drastic measures. He has since gained
back all the weight he lost plus more.A new neighbor
has moved into the home and he cuts his own grass …
but not as well as I did.
Our daughter-in-law is a nurse practitioner and
also a registered dietician in Texas who works with
a doctor who specializes in bariatric surgery. Several
years ago her youngest son, our grandson Jack,
perhaps six or seven years old at the time, happened
to be watching “My 600 lb. Life” on a cable television
channel. Some of you may have followed Amber
Rachdi’s story on this program. At 23 years old
she weighed 657 pounds. Amber had gastric bypass
surgery and her weight reduction was drastic. You
can look this up online.The before and after photos
are incredible! As Jack was watching an episode he
asked his mother how to spell the cityAmber lived in.
Meghan asked him why he wanted to know that. His
reply was,“Because I want to find her phone number
online and call her to wish her good luck with her
surgery tomorrow.”We were extremely touched by
Jack’s compassion. It appears he has an “undertaker’s
heart”…one which all of us need to endure the
challenges of our chosen profession.
My guess is that most of us sympathize with those
who are severely overweight rather than criticize
and find fault with their condition. They, too, must
be served by funeral professionals someday. We are
all different on the outside, but we all have the same
emotions and feelings inside.Who amongst us does
not have some disability or condition, either seen or
unseen, which we would change if we thought we
could?
As competent and caring professionals we will
increasingly be called upon to serve people in this
condition.We must have a procedure in place, along
with the proper equipment.
Dennis divides his time working in his Dodge
sales territory in northeastern Massachusetts,
and being in the office manning the technical
support line, along with helping out with
customer service.
Dennis Daulton

17 Fall 2016
Honolulu, Hawaii
February 6-8, 2017
John A. Burns School of Medicine
at the University of Hawaii
Hawaii
Details and Registration information is on the next few pages.
For more detailed information, visit the Dodge Seminars tab
at shop.dodgeco.com.

The Dodge Institute For Advanced Mortuary Studies
9 Progress Road Billerica, MA 01821
TEL (800) 443-6343 / (978) 600-2099 - SECURE FAX (978) 600-2336
DODGE TECHNICAL SEMINAR
February 6-8, 2017 Honolulu, HI
TIME MONDAY
FEBRUARY 6TH
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 7TH
WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 8TH
9:00am -
10:00am
Jack Adams
Embalming The Ever
Increasing Number Of
Obese Bodies
Jack Adams
Embalming Infectious
Cases & The Importance
Of Universal Precautions
Tom Buist
Shipping Human Remains
By Air...With Good
Results vs. Horrific
Outcomes!
10:15am -
11:15am
Kim Collison
Update: Diseases At Our
Doorsteps, Part 1
Kim Collison
Update: Diseases At Our
Doorsteps, Part 2
Craig Caldwell
Revisiting Cadaver
Preparation, Part 2
11:30am -
12:30pm
Steven Labrash/Stacy
Ann Miles
I Love Anatomy!
Ann Miles
Addressing Extremely
Swollen Eyes
Ann Miles
Fun In Steve’s Morgue
12:30pm -
1:30pm
LUNCH For Registered
Seminar Attendees
DONE For The Day
Enjoy The Afternoon!
MEETING A JOURNED
Enjoy The Rest Of Your
Stay!
1:30pm -
2:30pm
Jan Field
Embalming Down Under -
Australian Style
2:45pm -
3:45pm
Craig Caldwell
Revisiting Cadaver
Preparation, Part 1
4:00pm -
5:00pm
Tom Buist
Jaundice - Three Solutions
To An Often Perceived
Difficult Dilemma

Hotel Reservation & Rate Information
For those of you who need a hotel room, we have reserved a block of rooms at:
Embassy Suites—Waikiki Beach Walk
201 Beachwalk Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
www.embassysuiteswaikiki.com
Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (808) 921-2345, referencing our
Group name: “Continuing Education-Dodge Company”
Reservations can also be made online, using the link below
The ‘welcome’ page of the Embassy Suites online reservation only shows the rates for ‘City View’. If you click through to ‘book a
room’, the additional room options will display. We’re working with Embassy Suites to get this corrected but you can still make
reservations online using the link for all rate options.
Cut-off date to make hotel reservations at the group rate is Monday - January 2, 2017
TEL (800) 443-6343 / (978) 600-2099 - SECURE FAX (978) 600-2336
Embassy Suites RATES for February 3, 2017 through February 8, 2017
CITY VIEW, 1 bedroom suite
$299/night single/double occupancy OR $359/night triple occupancy
PARTIAL OCEAN VIEW, 1 bedroom suite
OCEAN VIEW, 1 bedroom suite
Embassy Suites—Waikiki Beach Walk is just a few minutes’
walk to Waikiki Beach, shopping, and restaurants. Each day, a
cooked-to-order breakfast is served along with a nightly manager’s
reception… both of which are included in your daily hotel rate. The
hotel also has a heated pool, whirlpool spa, and spacious sundeck.
What’s special about Embassy Suites is that they have no resort fee!
PLEASE NOTE:
Rates do not include applicable sales tax
which is currently 4.712% and hotel
occupancy tax which is currently
9.25%. Rate for 4th person is an
additional $60 per room, per night.
Join us at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii
for a 3-day Dodge Technical Seminar.
All classes will be held at the university which is located at:
651 Ilalo Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

TEL (800) 443-6343 / (978) 600-2099 - SECURE FAX (978) 600-2336
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 9
Pricing as follows is for all 3 days of the seminar:
1st Registrant
Early Bird - $550 / After 01/09/17 - $600
2nd Registrant
Early Bird - $500 / After 01/09/17 - $550
Registration Cancellation Policy:
If cancellation is made on/before January 30th, you will be refunded the full
registration fee. After January 30th, a $100 cancellation fee will apply.
Cancellation must be made in writing via mail, fax or e-mail to the
addresses listed below.
1st Registrant: _________________________________________________
FD/Emb. Lic. # & State: _________________________________________________________________
Email Address: __________________________________________________________________
A seminar confirmation will be e-mailed when registration is received.
2nd Registrant: _________________________________________________
FD/Emb. Lic. # & State: __________________________________________________________________
Email Address: ___________________________________________________________________
A seminar confirmation will be e-mailed when registration is received.
Firm:
Address:
City: State/Province: Zip/Postal Code:
Phone: Fax:
1st Registrant: $____ ____
2nd Registrant : $_______ ____
Total: $_______ ________
2nd registrant must
be from the same
organization to get
the discounted rate.
Method of Payment: Check (U.S. dollars, please ~ made payable to )
Charge to my: MasterCard Visa American Express Discover
Credit Card Number: Exp. Date:
Security Code: _______________ Zip Code for BILLING ADDRESS of credit card: __________________________
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Name on card: ___________________________________________ Signature: _________________________________
Mail or fax completed registration form and payment to address listed at bottom of this page.
Using Dodge Block Outside Dodge Block Staying at another hotel

21 Winter 2017
It was a typical training day for my new apprentice.
A new day, with a new topic to learn about. This
day was devoted to dressing and cosmetics. So why
wasn’t my (forty-something, male) apprentice
exuding excitement for the tasks at hand? I mean,
come on, we are working with cosmetics and hair.
Doesn’t everyone share my excitement for this
topic?
The first decedent of the day happened to be
male. That’s good news! My apprentice would get
to start off with an “easy one.” “No problem,” I said.
The condition of this deceased was pretty much
textbook perfect. Decedent dressed? Check! The
necktie is tied Double Windsor? Check! The pocket
square folded and placed? Check! Highlight cosmetic
applied? Check!
Then I said, “OK, apprentice, let’s work on this
man’s hair.” My apprentice proceeded to grab the
first hair tool he came across – a hair pick. Umm,
that’s an interesting choice of hair tool, I thought to
myself. This particular decedent had a typical older
male hairstyle, a part on the side, combed over
with slight volume to it. I asked my apprentice to
style this man’s hair the way he thought it should
be according to the photograph provided. He then
stood behind the decedent’s head with the hair pick
in his hand and a blank stare on his face. Noticing
that he looked completely lost, I began to guide him
and tell him the necessary steps.
First we needed to wet the decedent’s hair and
apply hair gel to the hair before styling it with the
hairdryer. “So, go ahead and apply the gel,” I said.
“And then I will show you the technique of styling
to achieve the lift that his particular style requires.”
Again, my apprentice looked like a deer in the
headlights. “What’s wrong?’” I asked. To which he
replied, “I don’t know what hair gel is or what you
do with it.” In shock I thought, “How could this be?”
He then pointed to his own bald head and said to me,
“I don’t use hair products or tools.”
I chuckled and realized with a hairline like his,
he wouldn’t. At that time, my apprentice’s hair
reality was foreign to me. After all, I have been
interested in all things about hair and makeup ever
since I can remember. Eventually, my apprentice
mastered the art of the “roller set” hairstyle like
nobody’s business. Now, he is not only competent in
all things regarding hair and makeup, he has become
quite the expert.
Sadly though, throughout the 20+ years of my
career as an embalmer and licensed cosmetologist, I
have found that my apprentice’s lack of knowledge
about hair preparation is more the norm (of even
experienced embalmers) than the exception.
Hopefully, those of you who share this
apprentice’s insecurities on the subject of hair
preparation will find some useful tips and techniques
in this article. Let’s start with the basics of hair care
as it pertains to our job as an embalmer.
Have you ever winced as you opened the body
bag of a decedent that you were about to embalm and
found that they had a head full of long hair? “Ugh!”
you sighed as you realized this hair could easily add
a half an hour or more to your embalming process.
You tried your best to keep the hair from mingling
with the exiting body fluids or getting tangled up
amongst your instruments. Well, this doesn’t need
to be an issue if you treat the hair prior to injection.
Simply wash the hair with shampoo, rinse, and
apply a generous amount of conditioner, or spray
the entire head of hair with a leave-in conditioner.
After doing this, section the hair into four parts.
Twist each section into a bun and clamp it with a hair
clip or claw. If the scalp has been autopsied, remove
the sutures prior to cleansing the hair. Section the
hair into two sections, top and bottom, and secure
each section into the hair clamp. This will also aid
in suturing the scalp together at the end of the
embalming without the hair interfering and getting
caught in the suturing process.
Important: Do not rinse the conditioner from
the hair until the end of the embalming process.
By treating the hair first, you are making your job
easier by preventing the hair from collecting blood
clots and debris from the embalming procedure.
This technique also allows the hair to absorb the
conditioner and soften the strands. Softer strands
allow you to comb the hair without it tangling up
and causing hair loss and frustration.
Once the embalming is complete and the table
has been cleaned, remove the hair clamps and rinse
the conditioner out of the hair. At this point it is best
to use a wide tooth comb for the combing process.
To avoid hair breakage/loss, always begin combing
from the bottom of the strands, making your way
to the top of the head. With each new stroke you
are grabbing a higher section, eventually making
your way to the top of the head, with a full stroke
combing the entire length of the hair. This method
will alleviate knotting as well as breakage.
It isn’t enough to just wash the hair and comb
it straight back. Have you ever tried to style a
woman’s bangs but instead found you were fighting a
stubborn cowlick, trying to make it stay down on the
forehead? Of course you have. Save yourself and the
person responsible for cosmetizing the decedent a
lot of frustration. Take the decedent’s hairstyle (man
or woman) into consideration as you are combing
out the hair after embalming. Examine the hair and
its different lengths. If the hair is shorter around the
My apprentice
looked like
a deer in the
headlights.
“What’s
wrong?’” I
asked. To which
he replied, “I
don’t know
what hair gel is
or what you do
with it.”
The Fringe
Beneﬁts
By Deborah Schlottman

Case of 6 (16 oz. Bottle)
Catalog No.: 507306
A REVOLUTIONARY PRE AND COINJECTION
CHEMICAL FOR EXTREME CASES
For Professional
Embalming Use Only
Delayed embalming, environmental conditions, trauma and complications brought on by bacterial
infections, are all affecting embalming success. Softening of tissue, gas production, skin-slip and many
other negative results are all products of embalming these cases using our ‘normal’ solutions.
After thorough and proven field testing, the Dodge chemists have produced a coinjection/preinjection
chemical to help embalm and stabilize these extreme cases, as well as stop
gas production in its tracks, thus the name ‘Halt GX’.
Halt GX with Broadstat, Dodge’s proprietary disinfectant blend, is compatible with any Dodge
arterial chemical and coinjections. This additive effectively attacks gas production and fortifies
your arterial chemical. Adding 16 oz. of Halt GX per gallon of injection solution will
give you noticeably improved results.
Especially effective for these cases:
Septic · Gas-producing · Drowning · Decomposition
· Contains no formaldehyde, phenol
or methanol.
· Will not bleach or interfere with
cosmetic appearance.
· Formulated to work in a wide pH range.
· Can be used in conjunction with cavity
chemical to inhibit gas production.
· Low fumes, low toxicity and
low flammability.
· Long shelf life.
· Not a hazmat for shipping.

23 Winter 2017
forehead, you can assume this person had some sort
of bang or fringe around their face. If it’s possible
to see a photograph prior to this point, that’s ideal.
Comb the wet hair in the direction of the style. As
the hair dries it will set in the direction in which it
is meant to be styled. Embalming will set the hair
follicles in the direction you comb the hair after the
embalming process. The same holds true with men
as with women. If they have a part in their hair,
comb the wet hair in the direction of his preferred
part. These simple details will make your job a little
more enjoyable and less stressful.
Got roots? Yes? No problem! The family
brought in hair color in a box for you to use. Easy,
right? No! First and foremost, if the funeral home
staff that collected the hair dye from the family didn’t
explain the possible outcome of using the hair dye,
then you, as a trained embalmer, need to explain
to the family the following important information.
The single most important thing that hair dye
requires to achieve its desired effect is body heat.
A dead body no longer has the ability to activate the
coloring chemical. Sure, you can apply the dye, but
it is my recommendation to always make the family
aware that they might not see the results they had
anticipated.
However, covering roots is still possible. There
are so many products available to us. You should
visit a beauty supply store. There is a wide variety
of color touch-up sprays, creams, wands, and rinses
that are specifically designed to cover roots of both
men and women. Purchase these supplies and have a
variety of types and colors at your hair station. They
are easy to use and easy to apply.
So you didn’t make it to the beauty supply store
or you’re not comfortable in a store like that? No
problem. You certainly must have a tube of mascara,
a palette of eyeshadow, or a Dodge Cosmetic Kit. All
of these products can create an illusion of hair dye.
Sometimes our profession is “smoke and mirrors.”
We use whatever we can to achieve an illusion of
a “self-like” decedent. Use a stippling brush coated
with any of these products and stipple the color into
the scalp from the root to the end of demarcation.
Comb the roots with the mascara wand, like you
would an eyelash. Thinking outside the box will do
wonders.
Speaking of wonders, do you have a decedent
with missing hair? Do you worry about how you
are going to create hair where there is none? Is
this concept so overwhelming that it is just easier
to tell the family to bring in a hat for their loved
one? Is it laziness or lack of skill and confidence that
causes us to opt for a hat or scarf and not even try to
restore what is missing? If by chance you are great
at hair restoration that is wonderful. I am in no way
an expert but I have done enough hair restorations
to share some tips on this subject. Before doing
anything, it is best to get the family’s permission to
perform a hair restoration procedure. Next, if it is
possible to use the decedent’s own hair, always go
for that option. Removing hair from the back, or the
lower part of the scalp is desirable. This is the area
that is covered by the pillow.
Again, the beauty supply store is a great
resource to you. You can purchase all types of hair,
such as wigs, bags of hair, hair extensions, curly
hair, straight hair, fake pony tails and even clip-on
bangs. All of these hair accessories can be altered
and cut to fit your needs. Once you have determined
what procedure you will do, first apply a base color.
Typically, you would want to use the same color
as the hair. This allows any sparse areas to appear
covered once the hair is applied. Next, you want to
apply a thin coat of some sort of adhesive to the scalp.
It is best to apply the adhesive, like wax, or Aron
Alpha, or Perma Seel, a section at a time. Starting at
the bottom of the bald area, attach the hair in rows,
like you would shingles on a roof. Don’t let the task
overwhelm you. You are the artist. Take your time
to create your masterpiece. Your efforts will be
what sets you apart from the person who just earns
their paycheck. You will be the one who earns the
trust and appreciation of a grieving family.
Lastly, if you are sentimental, this next bit might
seem like a no-brainer. However, I am a married
woman and know all too well that the obvious to
me isn’t always the obvious to a person who shares
the same space and routine as me. So for the sake
of the non-sentimental person, I’d like to share my
ideas on a topic that is near and dear to my heart:
keepsakes. Death is so final. One is gone forever.
There is a viewing scheduled. The family attends and
all the while is trying to grasp the finality of it, but
yet they are still able to see, touch, and feel the one
who is supposed to be gone forever.
Then the final day comes: burial or cremation.
Boom! It’s done, it’s final, they are gone forever.
No more seeing them, no more touching them, no
more feeling them. Now, it is REAL! Thankfully in
a week or so, when they are ready, the family will
look through the bag of cards, the memorial book,
and the literature that the funeral home presented
to them at that final moment. As the family sifts
through the contents of the bag, and are able to
process their loss, they come across a keepsake. A
beautifully packaged lock or locks of their loved
one’s hair. Hair that was prepared by the thoughtful
funeral director/embalmer who had the heart to
know to ask the family during the process of making
the funeral arrangements, if they would like a lock
of hair as a keepsake, and the wisdom to know
that down the line this special gesture would serve
as the glue to keeping a grieving person’s sanity.
Never underestimate the value and effect of having a
tangible piece of a loved one to hold, touch and feel
at any moment when they need them close.
Simply put: pay attention to the fringe and you
will reap the benefits.
The single
most important
thing that hair
dye requires
to achieve its
desired effect is
body heat.
Don’t let the
task overwhelm
you. You are
the artist. Take
your time to
create your
masterpiece.
Deborah has been in the funeral industry for
20 years and is a licensed Embalmer and licensed
Cosmetologist. She managed a high volume prep
center in Orange County, CA for eight years
before joining Dodge as our Sales Representative
in Southern California and Hawaii.

I love having grandkids. Yes, it kinda freaked me
out when I first entered this new identity, but
now Ethan is 16 and Parker is 10, and I’ve really
embraced it. I’m GiGi because, well, Grandma
just doesn’t fit me now, does it? And, I’m the cool
GiGi. We go to the video game places, putt-putt,
bowling, go-carts, and movies. Take them fun
places, spoil them, and send them home. That’s
my motto. Movies are our favorite—name a movie
that kids have wanted to see in the past decade and
we’ve been there. I can sing Everything is Awesome
and Let It Go with the best of them. Star Wars? Jurassic
World? Antman? Guardians of the Galaxy? Been there.
If you have been to a theater recently, you might
have noticed some pretty interesting changes. Some
of the theaters in our city have gone to great lengths
to improve the experience. Reserved seating so you
can pick your seats and not have to get to the theater
early, amazing leather reclining chairs where you
could take a nap, servers who bring the popcorn and
nachos to you, and, in some, adult beverages being
served. Yes, you pay more, but it’s worth it.
Movie theaters have had to change because their
customers had options. Why get dressed and drive
to see a movie when you can stream it at home or
pop in a DVD in your pajamas? They had to create
a unique destination, a reason to show up, or they
were facing extinction.
Movie theaters and funeral homes have a lot in
common. We, too, are facing the changing needs
and expectations of our customers. Why go to
the trouble of having a service when we can just
cremate and have something on our terms, our
way? And the services we’ve been to are boring or
blah or blazingly religious. Who wants to do that?
We have seen many iterations of how funeral
homes try to appeal to the public and bring people
back to the experience. First we saw casket
companies offering various ways to “personalize”
the casket with end pieces and cap panels. Then we
learned how to scan pictures and the video tribute
was born. Service folders with pictures and displays
became the norm.
The latest in this effort are companies that are
offering interesting and exciting additions to the
service. A huge screen that can project a beach
landscape with the waves lapping and sounds and
smells of the location. Banners with a montage of
pictures and memories, a large picture that can be
signed instead of a register book, memory folders
with multiple pictures and stories included. Memory
tributes that incorporate video and specialized
music and pictures. Special takeaways with the
person’s name imprinted. Themed receptions and
even adult beverages available for a final toast.
These are all wonderful and creative approaches to
offering something to families that is worth paying
for, worth showing up for.
However, no matter how comfortable the
leather chairs are, if you sit through a bad movie,
it’s still a bad movie. You don’t say, “Oh, but the
server brought us our drinks and we got to recline!”
You say, “That movie stunk,” and, “Next time I’m
going to wait until something comes out on Netflix
so I can turn it off in the middle if I hate it.”
The same is true for all the great devices and
experiences that are being offered today. No matter
how cool the tech is, the most amazing displays,
We are here for
your journey. We
are here for your
memories. We
are here for your
times of joy and
times of sadness.
We are here.
Words Matter
by Glenda Stansbury

25 Winter 2017
banners, folders, and the smell of the ocean wafting
through the chapel, and sea shells with pictures of
the deceased on them, if the service itself is not
unique and personalized, and does not tell the story
of the person, then people will still walk away and
say, “That stunk.” They won’t say, “But wasn’t the
screen with the waves really meaningful and look
at this cool picture montage folder that folds six
ways.”
For the sixteen years that we have been offering
Celebrant training, we have always started our
second day of training the same way, Rules for
Celebrants. We only have four rules and we try to
live by them as we design and conduct our Celebrant
services. Rule Number 1 is “Personalization is
not a Product.” We emphasize to our Celebrant
trainees that all of the wonderful elements, props,
displays, and special touches are great, but if we
don’t personalize the service by telling the story,
honoring the life, acknowledging the death and
the grief journey, then it’s all just set design. It’s
pretty, it’s nice, but it’s a leather chair in a bad
movie. It will not save the service. If I have a car
with a motor that won’t run, painting the car and
putting in comfortable seats still won’t make it a
usable vehicle.
This is not to denigrate or disparage any of
the products, old or new, that are being offered
to families. They can be wonderful and important.
But, just as we did when we could first offer a flag
corner piece on a casket or put a picture on a service
folder, if we walk away with a satisfied feeling that
we have personalized the service, we are wrong.
One of the classes that I teach at the University
of Central Oklahoma Funeral Service Program
is Contemporary Issues in Funeral Service. This
is my fun class. I introduce new ideas, concepts,
or changes to the students each week so they can
become familiar with them and they can become
critical thinkers and discerning directors. I don’t
want them to be enticed by every shiny object that
comes along.
Each topic—pet services, green/home burial,
cremation options, receptions, personalization
choices—must be reviewed with the following
questions: 1) Is it good for families? 2) Is it good
for the firm? 3) What are the desired results of
incorporating this program/concept/approach? 4)
What are the ramifications for not incorporating
this program/concept/approach? We go on field
trips to see unique ideas or packages that some
of the firms are offering in the metro area. There
is no final exam, just a research paper and class
presentation on one of the issues or ideas.
This semester I took the class to the funeral
home in the city that has become the exclusive
provider of one of the new personalization package
programs. The director, who was my classmate
in mortuary school and is a wonderful funeral
director, put on an amazing presentation for the
students. He put up the banners, showed all the
service folder ideas, displayed one of the pictures
that can be signed, and gave them pictures of some
of the creative and special experiences that they
have created for families. He is a true believer and
passionate about providing different and memorable
gatherings for his families.
And then, I asked him the question. “So, you
sell this package to the family, you spend days
getting everything right, hanging banners, creating
the perfect video, handing out customized service
folders with picture montages. And, then, the
officiant gets up and it’s Cookie Cutter Service #3,
same thing you heard last week, same thing you will
hear next week, with perhaps an acknowledgement
of the deceased and the family. Does all of this
overcome a bad service?”
He shook his head sadly and said, “No, nothing
overcomes that. Words matter.”
Words matter. We can’t distract the attendees
with spinning plates or Disney on Parade because we
have nothing else to offer. A funeral service has one
purpose and one purpose only. To stop and carve
out a sacred time and safe space, to commemorate
a life lived, the impact that the person had on their
world, and to offer presence and vigilance to the
family as they begin the hard walk of their grief.
If we can add memories through the senses, that’s
great. But long after the pictures fade and the scents
dissipate, it’s the words that heal. If you are going to
offer all the bells and whistles, you’d best be finding
a way to add the words.
So we are going to show you an example of
how to utilize all the elements to make it a soul
touching moment. This service took place at this
very same funeral home this summer.
His name was Noah. He was a beautiful seven-
year-old little guy who loved his momma, his
baby sister, soccer, Legos and Ninja Turtles. His
biological dad (now referred to as BD) insisted that
he come to the family gathering at the lake on July
4th. His mom begged him not to take him, she
didn’t trust that he would be safe. But BD persisted
and mom finally agreed.
BD and his family proceeded to celebrate the
holiday with an all-day drinking party. At some
point Noah wandered off to the lake, fell in, and
drowned. A stranger discovered him and pulled
him out and tried to perform CPR. Finally, the
ambulance came and took this little guy to the
hospital. BD followed in his car, and, when they
pronounced him dead, called the mom and said,
“Your son is dead,” hung up and turned off his
phone, went back to the lake to continue the party.
The frantic and distraught mother had to drive for
an hour and go to two different hospitals in small
towns before she found her baby boy.
Needless to say, this was a broken, angry, and
hysterical family. When I arrived for the family
meeting, I only had the uncle (the mother’s brother)
and his fiancée. Everyone else was too upset to even
come talk to me. They gave me what they could so
we could put together a service for this sweet little
guy.
The funeral home did a magnificent job with
all the elements that they put together. There were
banners with his pictures and Ninja Turtles and
Legos, and the video tribute had Lego and Ninja
The most difﬁcult
part of this
particular grief
journey will be
ﬁnding balance
and solace amid
the chaos. The
most important
person in this
story is Noah.
Never lose sight
of him.

Turtle backgrounds. They custom-ordered a bright
blue casket, with Legos and his name painted on
it. They had a huge portrait of his smiling face that
people could sign and leave their messages on.
They had customized service folders and the multi-
fold memory folders with a myriad of pictures
and images. It was beautiful. It was sweet. It was
heartbreaking. The funeral home was overflowing
with over 400 people who came in disbelief and
despair.
And then it was time to talk about Noah. To
give voice to the pain. To honor his energetic spirit.
To give ways to remember him in the days to come
that would be healing rather than hurtful.
As the family processed in, I asked the audience
to stand. And then I said these words:
“We stand. We stand in support, in respect, in
solidarity, and in honor. We stand to remind you
that in your darkest hour, every one of these people
pledge to be beside you, to hear your stories, to
bring shoulders for tears and arms for hugs. When
you are weary, remember these people who stand.
We stand to say that this amazing little boy touched
each and every person in this room in his short time
on earth. We stand for Noah.
You may be seated.
We gather today because that’s what people
do. Since the beginning of time, it has been part of
the human condition that we stop and acknowledge
the death of someone. To give honor to a life lived
and to begin to figure out what that loss means to
the ones left behind. To provide a sacred space for
the pain and grief. To establish the significance and
unique aspects of a life lived. To catch our breath
and begin the first shaky, initial steps toward
reconstructing a new reality.
When a little boy who was such a large
presence to so many people has lived such a wise
and loving life in his seven short years, the need
for a safe gathering of those who loved him is even
more necessary. It is in the tears and stories that
each of you can find comfort and healing. So, we
gather today, because that’s what people do.
We are here for your journey. We are here for
your memories. We are here for your times of joy
and times of sadness. We are here.
On behalf of the family, thank you for being
present for this most important moment. Whether
Noah was part of your life through daycare, soccer,
school or the neighborhood, through family or
friends, he touched your heart. You took the time,
traveled from near and far, to be here, to stand in
remembrance, to carve out time for the memories,
to share the stories, to pledge to the family that you
are dedicated to accompanying them in the days and
weeks and months ahead.
To the little friends who are here, we know
that this may be a little confusing. There are a lot of
adults here who will help you understand why you
are here for your friend Noah. Never be afraid to
ask questions.
There is hurt, anger, shock, disbelief, and
overwhelming grief swirling around this room.
There are also memories, smiles, overwhelming
love and gratitude that each of you got to walk a
little while on Noah’s path. All of these feelings are
normal and welcome. It is in the acceptance of each
of the emotions that you can begin to find your way
back.
Today we will hear from the people who loved
him the most, see snapshots of his favorite times,
and then we will accompany Noah on his final trip
as we gently lay him to rest with all the affection and
care that is humanly possible.
Legos, video games, Ninja Turtles, his little
sister Mia, navigating the iPad better than most
adults, wearing his t-shirts backwards, his momma,
his sister, his daddy, his family. These were
the things that Noah loved. From the moment
he came into this world on April 12, 2009, he
brought incredible joy, unbridled energy, amazing
intelligence, and expansive love to the world.
He was a Lego master builder, could take
out the enemy in Call of Duty, watch TV with his
momma, or just sit on the bed kissing and talking
to his baby sister. He was happy, content, and wise
way beyond his years.
And he could get his way with the adults in his
world. He knew Grandma Sarah was always good
for a trip to Walmart for a new game or Lego set.
His uncle Dylan showed up at the house with a
Ninja Turtles bike and 300 piece Lego set. While
sitting around impatiently one day wanting to go
to Walmart because something Lego was calling
to him, he walked into the bedroom where Daddy
Levi was laying on the bed and said, ‘Are you just
going lie there and flip channels all day? Come on,
man. Get up and let’s get going.’ And, of course,
Levi did.
But for all the attention that he got, he gave
twice as much in return. Never a spoiled kid, he
was always looking out for his momma and his
sister. They were a little trio of warriors, taking on
the world and taking care of each other. Nothing
was going to break them apart. Until that awful,
terrible, very bad day happened, you would look
at this beautiful boy and say, ‘He is going to be
a heartbreaker.’ And now, everyone’s heart is
broken.
So, let’s take a deep breath, focus on being
calm and present in these special moments, and hear
from his uncle Dylan, his aunt Hailey, and Noah’s
Momma Chloe and Daddy Levi, as they bring
their thoughts and stories about this beloved little
boy. As every good Lego builder knows, the most
important part of the construction is the base, the
place to begin, the place that anchors everything.
These people were Noah’s base, the solid space
upon which he was allowed to grow, to thrive, to
explore, to create. Now they bring their sorrow
and bravery to do the most difficult thing they’ve
ever done. To honor their Noah.”
And then these amazingly strong and
heartbroken people in his family stood on that
platform and talked about their little boy.
After the video tribute, I got back up.
“As I’m sure everyone in this room knows,
the theme song from The Lego Movie is Everything
Bless you Noah.
Bless you for
bringing energy,
excitement, love,
and light into this
world.

27 Winter 2017
is Awesome. An annoying tune that I’ve now put in
your head and it will stick there all day. Of course,
today everything is not awesome. Everything is as
far from awesome as one could possibly imagine.
And it would be easy to look at the holes in your
lives and think that it will always be this way. That
there will never be another awesome day.
You are now the honor bearers and guardians
of Noah stories. Even in seven years, he left you
with memories and moments that will last you a
lifetime. At first those memories will bring pain and
tears. But, as you walk down the journey of grief, at
some point, those same memories will bring smiles
through the tears. Gratitude through grieving.
Acknowledging how very lucky you were to have
experienced this special little guy.
Parents are not supposed to bury their children.
We are here when they come into this world, but
we don’t plan to be here when they leave. This is
a grief so large that Chloe and Levi could get lost
if not for the kind hands and hearts to guide along
the path. Finding how to redefine your motherhood
when someone asks, ‘How many children do you
have?’ Finding the strength to grieve for a son while
caring for a daughter.
As Mia grows, tell her Noah stories. Show her
the video of her protective big brother who couldn’t
get enough of kissing and loving on his baby sister.
Each of you has a unique relationship with
Noah and your grief journey will be full of starts
and stops, rage, sadness, anger, depression, and a
soul that just feels empty. There are questions yet to
be asked, responsibilities yet to be determined, hard
consequences for hard actions. It is often too easy to
put your grief on the back burner while focusing on
the logistics and legalities. Suddenly it’s been a year
and the grief is still as fresh as yesterday because
all your energy was spent on retribution rather
than remembering. The most difficult part of this
particular grief journey will be finding balance and
solace amid the chaos. The most important person
in this story is Noah. Never lose sight of him.
When Dylan and Hailey get married this
October, where Noah was supposed to be carrying
their rings, instead they will carry his picture to
assure that he will be with them on their special day.
Be companions for the family. The hole in their
hearts where this little guy lived will feel especially
large and hard to fill. Make time for them, make
them a part of your routine. Call, email, text, or
send a card to let the family know that you are
thinking of Noah, that you remember Noah and the
many ways that you will miss Noah. At the time
of the holidays, Mother’s Day and Noah’s birthday,
the loss will feel especially poignant and daunting.
Nothing is so important to a family as hearing
their child’s name. Never fail to call Noah’s name.
Each time you tell a Noah story, you bring a little
spark of love and remembrance back into the
world. His name is the gateway from the past to
the present.”
And then we took this little blue Lego casket
to graveside. It broke everyone’s heart to see that
small box on that huge lowering device, obviously
built to hold much bigger loads.
“A little boy should be playing in the dirt. Not
being buried underneath it. But gather we must
in this hour of sadness to tell little Noah goodbye,
to hope that somewhere he is building the most
amazing Lego set or winning another video game.
Where he can run free with the wind and send
messages of love through the rainbows.
Now is your time to mourn. Now is your time
to gather together, to embrace, to share your pain,
your loneliness, and your silence. Now is your time
to begin to turn those stories and pictures in your
heart into memories that will walk with you in the
days, weeks, and months ahead. No one is dead
until they are forgotten. Carry Noah stories, his
lessons, his examples and share them often. In this
way, he stays alive in your hearts.
This is now holy ground where you can come to
visit, to talk, to sit quietly, to bring remembrances,
to find comfort in just being with Noah. Though his
light shown for such a short time, the warmth of his
spirit will stay with you for the rest of your life. It’s
not enough, it will never be enough. But someday
it will be sufficient to get you through.
Dylan told me that Noah’s favorite part of any
Lego set was the people. Noah was always all about
the people. So, we have a little bag of people to
go with him on his journey. You also have brought
roses to place on his casket, this amazing Lego
casket, to signify the love that you are sending with
him. After the blessing, we’ll invite you up to say
your final goodbyes and place your roses.
Bless you Noah. Bless you for bringing energy,
excitement, love, and light into this world. Bless
you for every Lego set you built with expertise and
abandon. Bless you for being the very heart and
breath of your momma. Bless you for being the
protective big brother. Bless you for touching every
person you encountered with your beautiful face
and even more beautiful spirit. Bless you, Noah,
for this is not the ending that you deserved or that
we expected. Bless you as you continue to live in
the hearts of each person here. You will always be
seven, you will always be an amazing little boy, you
will always have made a lasting impression on this
earth which is a pretty big legacy for one so young.
For that we say we miss you, we honor you, and
we love you.”
The blending of the visuals, the beautiful
setting, the caring staff, the sweet touches with the
words. That’s what makes this a healing experience.
That’s what brings people back. So, don’t just
offer cool leather chairs that recline. Offer a “great
movie” to go along with it. Then, our future is safe.fe.
Glenda Stansbury, CFSP, MALS is the Dean of
the InSight Institute of Funeral Celebrants, VP
of InSight Books, adjunct professor for UCO
Funeral Service Department and a practicing
Certified Funeral Celebrant. You can contact her
at celebrantgs@gmail.com.

Every funeral director I know has heard the
following three sentences hundreds of times in
their career: “We couldn’t have done this without
you.” “You made this so much easier.” “It takes a
special person to do this every day.” Moreover,
every funeral director I know has a response similar
to this: “Thank you, I get a lot of satisfaction out
of helping families like yours in tough emotional
times.” Then the funeral director smiles, swallows
hard, and quietly walks away. He or she hopes
that the emotional toll they have endured for years
will one day be relieved. They know that they will
probably be choked up a little at the next funeral
and they know that once the funeral is over they
will simply move on to the next family and do it all
over again. This alone is hard enough, however this
is only half of the job. Now he or she needs to go to
a private room in the building, pull back the sheet
to reveal a deceased person, and tackle whatever
is presented. He or she is well trained, well
prepared, and has seen it all before. Nevertheless,
do you really know what you are about to see? An
eighty-year-old ravaged by a cancerous lesion on
her face that has destroyed her beauty years ago,
a thirty-year-old who has shot himself in the head
and whose hair is matted in blood, a teenager who
has rolled her car over and crushed her body, or a
beautiful infant that died due to an undetected heart
condition. This is what we see. Every day. This has
to take a toll.
This toll has a few titles: Vicarious Trauma,
Secondary Traumatization, Secondary Stress
Disorder, or Insidious Trauma. These terms,
although slightly different, refer to the same
condition. The symptoms closely resemble those
of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but it is
one-step removed. It is the trauma suffered by the
caregiver and can be evident in many professions
that are required to respond and pick up the pieces
after a devastating event.
Vicarious traumatization is defined as the
cumulative transformative effect on the helper of
those working with survivors of traumatic life events
(Bloom, 2003). Humans are socio-biologically
connected to each other. What one experiences,
others close by can also experience, even though
they are not directly related to the event. Those
who suffer PTSD have a direct and explainable line
leading directly back to the event. They undergo
symptoms of hyper-arousal, emotional numbing,
avoidance, and intrusive behaviors. To better
understand PTSD we need to take a look at what
these symptoms really are. Hyper-arousal is having
an overly excited reaction to a relatively normal
occurrence. A horn blowing, a loud crack, a baby
shriek. If these are related in some way to the event
they experienced, they are very in-tune with this
sound and upon hearing it again, they can become
anxious and overly attentive. Emotional numbing is
the loss of extreme emotions. Great joy and great
sadness are no longer experienced. Only a small
range of emotions is felt. Suffering from emotional
numbness severely limits the quest for normalcy.
Avoidance is a large subject that can be described
as non-caring, social lagging, or simply hiding from
various situations. Intrusive behaviors are based on
trust. If the person suffering from PTSD loses faith
in his relationships, the symptoms intrude on them
and their privacy (Pross, 2006).
Those who suffer vicarious trauma, can have
the same feelings, but, in addition, it hits other
aspects of their lives that one may not realize.
“Vicarious traumatization symptoms include
typical symptoms of post-traumatic stress, but
also encompass symptoms indicative of a disrupted
frame of reference, including disruptions in
identity, worldview, and spirituality, and impacts
on psychological need areas” (Bloom, 2003).
“When a person’s frame of reference is
disturbed, beliefs about other people and the
world are affected as well as beliefs about a higher
purpose” (Rosenbloom, Pratt, and Pearlman,
1995). Funeral directors and other people who
are undergoing vicarious traumatization can see the
world as a much more dangerous place. People can
be seen as mean, evil, and untrustworthy. Slowly
the sufferer loses hope in and the belief of goodness
in the general public.
Funeral directors are only one segment of the
caring workforce that can be subjected to this type
of trauma. People who treat victims of sexual abuse
commonly can show these symptoms. Therapists
who treat childhood sexual abuse victims are
particularly susceptible to vicarious traumatization.
Case workers and investigators who discover and
recommend abuse victims for treatment are equally
in jeopardy. They witness repeated instances of
abuse and simply push it on with little information
about the outcome of their clientele. Hospital
personnel are also candidates for this type of stress.
Pediatric intensive care and neo-natal intensive care
workers, emergency room workers, and those who
work with terminally ill patients such as cancer
victims, can reveal symptoms of vicarious trauma.
Law enforcement workers, detectives, patrol
Vicarious
traumatization
is deﬁned as
the cumulative
transformative
effect on the
helper of those
working with
survivors of
traumatic life
events (Bloom,
2003). Humans
are socio-
biologically
connected to
each other. What
one experiences,
others close
by can also
experience, even
though they
are not directly
related to the
event.
Vicarious Traumatization
and the Funeral Director
by Michael S. Burns

Revista Dodge Invierno 2017

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