You Have Been "Prepared"

     Civilization produces many customs and rituals which could be construed by others to be quite uncivilized. Embalming, in my opinion, is one of those practices.  In fact there are some that would argue that the process of embalming is more barbaric today than in times past. Jessica Mitford penned a fabulous essay describing the brutality of what goes on behind closed doors at the mortuary. “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain” was written solely for the purpose of shedding some bright light on the planned horror that takes place after death.

     In a brilliant collection of prose, Mitford describes the tools, chemicals, and tricks of the trade used by what she describes as inaptly trained “pseudo-surgeons.”  The way that she depicts the procedure actually inspires fear. Not fear of the thought of death, we all feel that, but fear of the thought of what they do thereafter. She takes care to humanize the corpse that is being prepared by referring to him as Mr. Jones. It seems as if Mitford has done a great job of balancing critical thought processes with accurate and effective emotional cues-both of which are used cleverly to engage and influence the reader. Expressing the humanity and science of death is not something one does without much thought and intestinal fortitude.

     Reading “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain” has forever affected the way that I feel about attending funerals, even my own end of life plans. It makes me wonder if the living are just being selfish by holding on to something or someone who is no longer there. When I go, just throw me in a box and sing me a song! (And no sad songs, please!)