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Wake vs Funeral in Mortuary Science (Event Order)

Discover the Surprising Event Order of Wake vs. Funeral in Mortuary Science – You Won’t Believe What Comes First!

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 Meet with the family to discuss the type of service they want Families may not know the difference between a wake and a funeral Miscommunication may lead to dissatisfaction with the service
2 Determine if the family wants a wake or a funeral A wake is a more informal gathering where the body is present, while a funeral is a more formal service where the body may or may not be present The family may have cultural or religious traditions that dictate which type of service they prefer
3 Set up the viewing room for the wake or funeral The viewing room should be arranged to create a peaceful and respectful atmosphere Poor viewing room setup may lead to discomfort or dissatisfaction for the family and guests
4 Begin the embalming process if necessary Embalming is the process of preserving the body for viewing Improper embalming may lead to the body deteriorating or not looking natural
5 Assist the family in selecting a casket The casket should reflect the personality and wishes of the deceased and their family Choosing the wrong casket may lead to dissatisfaction with the service
6 Help the family choose floral arrangements Flowers can add a personal touch to the service and reflect the personality of the deceased Choosing inappropriate or poorly arranged flowers may detract from the service
7 Plan the memorial service The memorial service should reflect the wishes of the family and the personality of the deceased Poor planning may lead to a disorganized or unsatisfactory service
8 Coordinate pallbearers Pallbearers should be chosen based on their relationship to the deceased and their ability to carry the casket Poor coordination may lead to difficulty carrying the casket or a lack of respect for the deceased
9 Plan the reception The reception should provide a comfortable and respectful environment for guests to gather and share memories Poor planning may lead to a lack of food or seating, or an inappropriate atmosphere for the occasion

In summary, the process of planning a wake or funeral in mortuary science involves meeting with the family to determine their wishes, setting up the viewing room, embalming the body if necessary, selecting a casket and floral arrangements, planning the memorial service, coordinating pallbearers, and planning the reception. It is important to pay attention to the details and ensure that the service reflects the wishes of the family and the personality of the deceased. Poor planning or communication may lead to dissatisfaction with the service.

Contents

  1. What is the Event Order for a Wake or Funeral in Mortuary Science?
  2. Understanding the Embalming Process in Mortuary Science
  3. The Importance of Floral Arrangements in Mortuary Science
  4. Coordinating Pallbearers for a Wake or Funeral
  5. Common Mistakes And Misconceptions
  6. Related Resources

What is the Event Order for a Wake or Funeral in Mortuary Science?

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 Transportation of the deceased The body is transported to the funeral home or church for preparation and viewing. Transportation delays or issues may cause delays in the funeral service.
2 Preparation of the body for viewing The body is embalmed, dressed, and made up for viewing. Mishandling of the body during preparation may cause damage or further distress to the family.
3 Visitation hours Family and friends are allowed to view the body and pay their respects. Overcrowding or long wait times may cause discomfort for attendees.
4 Coordination with clergy or officiant The funeral director works with the chosen clergy or officiant to plan the service. Miscommunication or disagreements may cause delays or conflicts during the service.
5 Funeral service planning The funeral director helps plan the service, including music selection, eulogy preparation, and arrangement of seating and decor. Poor planning may result in a disorganized or unsatisfactory service.
6 Pallbearers selection The funeral director helps select and coordinate pallbearers for the casket. Lack of coordination or communication may cause issues during the service.
7 Flower arrangements The funeral director helps coordinate and arrange flower arrangements for the service. Late or incorrect flower deliveries may cause issues during the service.
8 Graveside service coordination The funeral director helps coordinate the graveside service, if applicable. Weather or other unforeseen circumstances may cause delays or issues during the graveside service.
9 Reception planning The funeral director helps plan the reception, including food and drink selection and setup. Poor planning may result in a disorganized or unsatisfactory reception.
10 Cremation arrangement If the deceased is to be cremated, the funeral director helps coordinate the cremation and any associated services. Mishandling of the cremation process may cause distress for the family.
11 Obituary writing The funeral director may assist in writing the obituary for the deceased. Inaccurate or incomplete information in the obituary may cause distress for the family.
12 Music selection The funeral director helps select appropriate music for the service. Inappropriate or offensive music may cause discomfort for attendees.

Note: The order of these steps may vary depending on the specific funeral or wake. Additionally, some steps may not be applicable to all funerals or wakes.

Understanding the Embalming Process in Mortuary Science

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 Disinfection Disinfection is the first step in the embalming process. It involves cleaning the body to remove any bacteria or viruses that may cause decomposition. Embalmers must wear protective gear to avoid exposure to infectious diseases.
2 Incision and drainage techniques The embalmer makes an incision in the carotid artery and jugular vein to drain the blood from the body. The embalmer must be careful not to damage any organs or tissues during the incision process.
3 Hypodermic embalming The embalmer injects a mixture of chemicals into the body to preserve the tissues and prevent decomposition. The embalmer must be careful not to inject too much or too little of the chemicals, as this can affect the preservation process.
4 Cavity embalming The embalmer uses a trocar to remove any bodily fluids from the abdominal and thoracic cavities and replaces them with a preservative solution. The embalmer must be careful not to puncture any organs or tissues during the cavity embalming process.
5 Tissue gas removal The embalmer uses a special tool to remove any gas that may have built up in the tissues during the embalming process. If the embalmer does not remove the tissue gas, it can cause the body to bloat and become disfigured.
6 Restorative art The embalmer uses makeup and other techniques to restore the body to a natural appearance. The embalmer must have a keen eye for detail and be skilled in the art of makeup application.
7 Body positioning during the process The embalmer must position the body in a way that allows for proper drainage and injection of the chemicals. Improper positioning can lead to uneven distribution of the chemicals and poor preservation.
8 Chemicals used in the process The chemicals used in the embalming process include formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and methanol. These chemicals can be hazardous to the embalmer’s health if not handled properly.
9 Embalming machines and equipment The embalming process requires specialized equipment, including an embalming machine, trocar, and arterial tubes. The embalmer must be trained in the proper use and maintenance of this equipment.
10 Funeral home preparation room standards The preparation room must meet certain standards to ensure the safety of the embalmer and the proper preservation of the body. The room must be well-ventilated and equipped with proper lighting and drainage systems.
11 Post-embalming care instructions The embalmer must provide instructions to the funeral home staff on how to care for the body after the embalming process is complete. Improper care can lead to deterioration of the body and affect the overall appearance during the funeral service.

In summary, the embalming process involves several steps, including disinfection, incision and drainage techniques, hypodermic embalming, cavity embalming, tissue gas removal, restorative art, body positioning, and the use of specialized equipment and chemicals. Embalmers must take precautions to avoid exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals, and must be skilled in the art of makeup application and body restoration. Proper care and maintenance of the preparation room is also essential to ensure the safety of the embalmer and the proper preservation of the body.

The Importance of Floral Arrangements in Mortuary Science

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 Choose appropriate floral arrangements based on the deceased‘s interests or hobbies. Personalized floral arrangements can provide comfort to grieving loved ones and honor the life of the deceased. It can be difficult to determine the deceased’s interests or hobbies, and some families may not want to disclose this information.
2 Select traditional funeral flower colors such as white, pink, or red, and understand their meanings. Traditional funeral flower colors can convey sympathy, love, and respect. Overuse of traditional funeral flower colors can make the arrangements appear generic and impersonal.
3 Consider non-traditional funeral flower colors such as blue, purple, or yellow, and understand their meanings. Non-traditional funeral flower colors can represent the deceased’s personality or bring a sense of calm or happiness to the funeral setting. Some families may not be comfortable with non-traditional funeral flower colors, and they may clash with the mortuary‘s decor.
4 Choose appropriate floral arrangements for the mortuary setting, such as casket sprays, wreaths, funeral baskets, standing sprays, cross arrangements, urn adornments, boutonnieres and corsages, and centerpieces for visitation or reception areas. Proper placement of floral arrangements can create a peaceful and comforting atmosphere for grieving loved ones. Overuse of floral arrangements can make the mortuary setting appear cluttered and overwhelming.
5 Carefully handle and dispose of funeral flowers to minimize environmental impact. Environmentally-friendly floral options, such as biodegradable urns or flower arrangements made from sustainable materials, can reduce waste and pollution. Improper disposal of funeral flowers can harm the environment and contribute to landfill waste.

In mortuary science, floral arrangements play an important role in honoring the life of the deceased and providing comfort to grieving loved ones. Personalized floral arrangements reflecting the deceased’s interests or hobbies can provide a sense of connection and comfort to those in mourning. Traditional funeral flower colors such as white, pink, or red can convey sympathy, love, and respect, while non-traditional funeral flower colors such as blue, purple, or yellow can represent the deceased’s personality or bring a sense of calm or happiness to the funeral setting.

When choosing floral arrangements for the mortuary setting, it is important to consider appropriate placement and avoid overuse, which can make the setting appear cluttered and overwhelming. Careful handling and disposal of funeral flowers can also minimize environmental impact, with environmentally-friendly options such as biodegradable urns or flower arrangements made from sustainable materials.

Overall, the importance of floral arrangements in mortuary science lies in their ability to provide comfort and honor the life of the deceased, while also creating a peaceful and comforting atmosphere for grieving loved ones.

Coordinating Pallbearers for a Wake or Funeral

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 Identify the number of pallbearers needed The number of pallbearers needed varies depending on the size and weight of the casket None
2 Determine the physical requirements for pallbearers Pallbearers must be physically capable of lifting and carrying the weight of the casket None
3 Establish the dress code for pallbearers Pallbearers should dress in dark, conservative clothing and wear comfortable shoes None
4 Schedule and coordinate with pallbearers Pallbearers should be scheduled in advance and provided with clear instructions on their duties and responsibilities Pallbearers may have scheduling conflicts or be unable to fulfill their duties due to unforeseen circumstances
5 Arrange transportation for the casket and pallbearers The funeral home or planner should arrange for transportation of the casket and pallbearers to the wake or funeral site Transportation issues may arise, such as traffic or vehicle malfunctions
6 Communicate with family members and friends of the deceased The family should be informed of the pallbearer schedule and expectations, and friends of the deceased may be asked to serve as pallbearers if needed Family members or friends may be unable or unwilling to serve as pallbearers
7 Coordinate with the funeral director or planner The funeral director or planner should be informed of the pallbearer schedule and any special instructions or requests Miscommunication or lack of coordination with the funeral director or planner may cause delays or confusion
8 Provide training or instruction to pallbearers Pallbearers should be given clear instructions on how to lift and carry the casket safely and respectfully Lack of training or instruction may result in injury or damage to the casket
9 Ensure timely arrival of pallbearers Pallbearers should arrive at the designated time to ensure a smooth and timely funeral procession Late or absent pallbearers may cause delays or disruptions in the funeral procession
10 Evaluate the success of the pallbearer coordination After the wake or funeral, evaluate the success of the pallbearer coordination and make any necessary adjustments for future events None

Common Mistakes And Misconceptions

Mistake/Misconception Correct Viewpoint
Wake and funeral are the same thing. A wake is a gathering of family and friends to pay their respects to the deceased, while a funeral is a formal ceremony that includes religious or cultural traditions.
The order of events for a wake and funeral is interchangeable. Typically, the wake occurs before the funeral service, allowing mourners to view the body and offer condolences to the family.
Embalming is required for both wakes and funerals. While embalming may be necessary in some cases (such as if there will be an open casket), it is not always required by law or tradition. Families can choose alternative options such as refrigeration or immediate burial/cremation without embalming.
Only close family members attend wakes/funerals. Wakes/funerals are open to anyone who wishes to pay their respects, including acquaintances, coworkers, neighbors, etc. It’s important for families to communicate this information so that everyone who wants to attend has an opportunity to do so.

Related Resources

  • Sleep-wake physiology.
  • Recanalization therapies for wake-up stroke.
  • Would my “Eriksen” wake up again?
  • Sleep-wake control and the thalamus.