Morticians of Reddit, what's the strangest or craziest thing you've seen on the job?

Ok, I get it, but considering I only recently started the training in the past year, It's obvious I'm going to get some things wrong. There's no need to be so condescending about it, I'm still learning. Maybe I'm not using the right terms etc, but my facts aren't entirely incorrect. All that I've said in the above is what I have learnt from my school maybe things are just different where I am, and the professor of my class uses different methods (as I know different people will use different methods) but I know for a fact that everything I said is just repeated from what I've learnt from the teacher (for lack of a better word, I guess professor is the proper term), and I know that bodies are treated with a cavity fluid. (genearally straight formaldehyde) Though phenal(phenol? can't remember fully) based chemicals are used in cases of tissue gasses.

Coffin is used as a general term a lot where I am, even though I do know the proper term should be casket, it's just out of habit that I say "coffin" instead, so my apologies. That ones completely on me.

And I know that the bodies used are given services etc not because I "googled it" (because why bother? o.O) but because whilst I haven't been to them yet, I was advised to make sure that I always had suitable clothing to wear in the event of a service for the deceased subject.

As for the bone breaking, as I said, it's in very rare cases when there isn't any other options, as I'm told. Obviously I haven't had to do that and hope I don't have to, I don't like the idea of breaking a dead persons bones any more than you do. All I know is that it has had to be done before, according to the teacher.

The butt plug thing is true, since I have handled one. It's like a long corkscrew thing that can be used, though I have heard of other methods, but different morticians apparently like to use different ways. I was thinking that the whole butt corkscrew was only temporary whilst first working on the body, and then it was sewn instead, but I don't know that yet.

as for the whole seminal vessels, maybe I can admit to being wrong about that, the "teacher" (for lack of a better word) just told us it can happen, and not to be alarmed if it ever does. He never exactly specified the amount, so I was probably just thinking about... a lot. As a lesbian I don't exactly know how semen works anyway lmao

Anyway, despite the fact you were a bit mean about it, I do thank you for sharing the information. The more knowledge the better! :)

And again, You should really not be such a condescending twat to people who are still learning, as I honestly don't mean to share any misinformation. Just sharing what I personally have learnt so far. If I were more experienced and someone who is likely younger and new to the subject was just trying to learn and share what they have learnt, I'd be supportive of the decision to become a mortician at all, it's not exactly a job people flock to do xP

To be honest though, sometimes I wonder if the teacher says half the stuff he says to try to get a reaction out of us, to try and see if any of us are grossed out and put off early and decide to drop out when they realise they don't really want to do it, rather than later into the course. Makes sense I suppose. I'll try to take his words more with a grain of salt in the future. I do sometimes have a problem (I have aspergers) with taking things a little too seriously. Though despite any mentall ilness I'm not going to let me hold it back, before anyone decides to grill me about the fact I'm on the autistic spectrum and want to be a mortician.... (already happened, but not wanting a repeat)

Oh, and on the pet eating thing, I know it's obvious, I just put it on there because of the shock factor some people might think about. It's not pleasant to think your lovely cat, Mr Fluff is going to devour your corpse if given the chance. Though I admit it isn't something I should joke about, actually. Obviously in professional circumstances I'm not a joker, though.

Again, sorry if I've shared any misinformation, I don't mean to, and I'm all too happy to learn. xP

/r/AskReddit Thread Parent