11 Secrets Funeral Directors Take To Their Graves
We all want the best farewell for our deceased loved ones. In the midst of the chaos and the grieving, we place all our trust in funeral directors to do just that. There are some insider secrets only they know, some you wish you knew and others you'd wish you'd never known.
1. You can compare funeral services online.
There are websites offering just that. Hitting the search button is definitely easier and less emotionally draining than talking to two or three different funeral directors.
2. Protective caskets aren't protective at all.
They don't really stop the body from decomposing and there have even been reports of caskets exploding underground.
3. Pacemakers explode, too.
That's why they are taken out before cremation. Also, pacemakers can be recycled and there have been projects dedicated to donating used ones to the less fortunate.
4. DIY funerals are possible.
Home funerals are legal in most states. You can ditch your funeral director save thousands of dollars in the process.
Speaking of being practical, you can opt for a:
5. Direct Disposal Funeral
It's not as hard-hearted as it sounds. Direct disposal means having the body buried or cremated right after death, without the traditional preparations or ceremonies.
People who opt for this service can still hold memorials after.
6. Prices aren't fixed.
Your funeral director is open to negotiate. You just have to ask.
7. There are caskets you can rent.
If you want an elegant looking casket without shelling out a lot of money, there are caskets for rent. What you actually pay for is a simple cardboard container that's fitted inside the one you rented, which is then removed before the burial.
8. Funeral waste goes down the drain.
There's really no special way of disposing funeral waste -- chemicals, blood and other bodily fluids -- after the embalming process. It's industry practice to wash them off right into the drain.
9. Superglue is a director's trusty friend.
To make the deceased look peaceful and presentable for viewing, a director employs the powers of superglue. From keeping the eyes and mouth closed, to covering puncture marks, to keeping the hands together, superglue proves to be the best tool for the job.
10. As always, lighting matters. They use rose-colored bulbs.
The rose-colored lamps are not there to make you feel even more sad. They're actually used to "give life and color" to the body laying there.
11. You can buy caskets from Walmart and Costco!
And they are priced way cheaper than the ones funeral directors show you. You can save thousands of bucks by seeking out these products.