Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: How does funeral house know that you are dead?

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    5,405

    Default How does funeral house know that you are dead?

    I have been pondering this question for a long time.

    Suppose you live alone. You sign up a package with a funeral house to take care of your death. And you pass away suddenly. Your body is in the hospital. Other than asking the funeral house itself, how will the funeral house know that you are dead?

  2. #2
    Senior Member charbydis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    White Camel Mountain
    Posts
    6,288

    Default

    You have a death certificate that is certified by a doctor and depending on your age and the circumstances, you would have had an autopsy. Then you probably need to be prepped by a mortician who may cut into you to reshape your body if it has been crushed or damaged. So somewhere along the process, they will check if you are really dead.
    "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."
    Cyril Connolly

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    5,405

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by charbydis View Post
    You have a death certificate that is certified by a doctor and depending on your age and the circumstances, you would have had an autopsy. Then you probably need to be prepped by a mortician who may cut into you to reshape your body if it has been crushed or damaged. So somewhere along the process, they will check if you are really dead.
    I understand the first two sentences. But, in the third sentence, who is this "they"? And how will they "know" to check?

  4. #4
    Senior Member charbydis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    White Camel Mountain
    Posts
    6,288

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wkeej View Post
    I understand the first two sentences. But, in the third sentence, who is this "they"? And how will they "know" to check?
    The makeup morticians use is more waxy as it needs to stay on longer depending on when the viewing is and when the burial/cremation is. But if you are not dead, then the body heat you generate will cause the make up to melt. And if you have suffered crushing injuries, the mortician has to rebuild the face and body shape, often by cutting open your body and stuffing pipes or plaster in, then restitching or glueing. So if you're are not dead, you would bleed a lot.

    Believe me, funeral homes are probably more worried about live people being sent to them and they would most probably check pulse and death cert.
    "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."
    Cyril Connolly

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    5,405

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by charbydis View Post
    The makeup morticians use is more waxy as it needs to stay on longer depending on when the viewing is and when the burial/cremation is. But if you are not dead, then the body heat you generate will cause the make up to melt. And if you have suffered crushing injuries, the mortician has to rebuild the face and body shape, often by cutting open your body and stuffing pipes or plaster in, then restitching or glueing. So if you're are not dead, you would bleed a lot.

    Believe me, funeral homes are probably more worried about live people being sent to them and they would most probably check pulse and death cert.
    Good points. There are many funeral houses. How will the hospital know which one to send the dead body to?

  6. #6
    Senior Member charbydis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    White Camel Mountain
    Posts
    6,288

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wkeej View Post
    Good points. There are many funeral houses. How will the hospital know which one to send the dead body to?
    The morgue will have to contact your family members to gain consent to release the body. If there is no consent given, then your body will be kept at the morgue for a period of time, and if no one comes to claim your body, then your body will be donated/sold to the universities or research facilities with proceeds going to the government.

    If you are living alone and have a pre-paid funeral plan, you would most likely have a card in your wallet that specifies so (like an organ donor card). But you would have also nominated a friend/family member who will be in charge of your funeral and they will have the information ready.
    "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."
    Cyril Connolly

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    5,405

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by charbydis View Post
    If you are living alone and have a pre-paid funeral plan, you would most likely have a card in your wallet that specifies so (like an organ donor card).
    That seems logical.

Similar Threads

  1. What Martial Arts does Xiao Shi Yi Lang know?
    By Divine Condor in forum Wuxia Fiction
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-14-14, 06:09 PM
  2. Does anyone know a corporation that does dubbing or subtitles?
    By faye1 in forum Mainland China TV Series
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-02-13, 05:52 AM
  3. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-21-07, 03:51 AM
  4. Does anyone know any Music from 70s and 80s
    By darkangel1992 in forum Music
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-08-07, 08:17 PM
  5. Does anyone know this movie?
    By no_name in forum Wuxia Fiction
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-20-06, 09:29 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •