Restorative Art
Edward J.Grey,MBIE,MIAFD,Ma,Ra,Dip,Hd,Dip,Cm,
Chairperson Irish Division of The British Institute of Embalmers
The very word Restorative Art probably makes most People think of a painter or sculptor and in the Funeral Trade this wouldn’t be 100 miles astray. Restorative Art to the Embalmer is the reconstruction of features of the Deceased to create a more lifelike appearance, Embalmers tend to think of extensive Restorations when ever this word is mentioned, but there is also need for restoration in most every Day cases.
What is Restorative Art;
Restorative Art is the reconstruction of any features to a more lifelike appearance, and is often refereed to as "The care of the Deceased to recreate natural appearance". Sometimes a Funeral Director may view a Remains, and because of the cause of death may find it easier to say to a Family that viewing is not recommended, rather than calling in a Professional Person who can make the necessary adjustments, and maybe avoid the closed coffin situation.
Restorative Art involves the reconstruction of mainly the Facial features to a more natural and acceptable form for the Family to view. Death may have accrued because of a road accident or mutilation of the features may have accrued due to a sudden impact,or the features may be distorted because of drowning,drug administration or unusual cause of death. If I may repeat Myself and say how aware the Public now are of embalming and the standards which are now in place, most Families now will request the Funeral Director to have some form of treatment carried out, but if not I would suggest that the Funeral Director themselves consult a Professional on this subject in order to find out what alternatives are available to a Family in these situations.
Objectives;
When Mutilation from injury or disease accrues, the presentation of the loved one for viewing in a natural unmarked condition is very comforting on a Family and Friends. A closed coffin leaves a bitter memory in the minds of the Mourners, and they will always retain a memory of ugliness and shock. The open viewing helps them to come to terms with death and gives them a chance to say a proper farewell.
A Funeral Director who has been able to produce a proper viewing of a Deceased Person who has died due to unnatural or tragic conditions will also create excellent Public relations, because of a very satisfied Family and Friends, this will also be in evidence by the morbidly curious who attend the funeral seeking further excitement, when they observe the Deceased in a natural and unmarked repose, they will carry the tale to others, and so the reputation of the Funeral Director and Funeral Home grows.
Type of cases requiring restoration;
For the average case restoration only involves the application of cosmetics and setting of the features, and this is a most important area, the facial features should always receive extra special attention by the Operator as these are the part of the Deceased most viewed by Relatives and Friends visiting the Funeral Home. Proper setting of the features can never receive too much attention, and should always be set as natural as possible.
Minor cases of restoration would include such operations as hypodermic tissue building because of a wasting disease or malnutrition prior to death, reduction of swelling usually caused by Drugs administered prior to death, removal and restoration of small skin blemishes, subtissue surgery, bleaching and concealing discoloration’s, and redhydration of tissues.
More extensive Restorations generally take a longer period of time and the Embalmer/Restorative Artist should be consulted before deciding viewing times with Relatives, these operations require extensive time, patience, and skill to complete and could include restoration or replacement of Hair or Major Feature,reduction of large Tumour or swelling, reconstruction of major fractures, removal and replacement of cancer areas, and preparation of deep wound areas.
How Restorative Art is carried out;
Most restorative art or corrective procedures are carried out after arterial embalming, although some need to be attended to before arterial injection is started. The Restorative Artist will be equipped to handle almost any situation, and will be able to employ what necessary skills and equipment are necessary to complete the task. Some procedures will involve surgical skill and others will require technical skill but all require patience and time, one of the best ingredients is to take short breaks and stop to look at the progress made so far, to take a little break away from the task at hand and then return, can shine a different light on the subject and make a big problem seem a little easier. Sometimes the sheer sight of the task to be undertaken can frighten even the most experienced Restorative Artist, but a little time and reflection and careful planning can reveal that most things are possible. If the visually offensive area is removed and cleaned, then the Restorative Artist can concentrate on the task at hand, and repair the damaged area. The Restorative Artist must adopt a positive attitude and not associate the condition with Human pain.
The Restorative Artist may not achieve perfect presentation but the Family will have been warned or seen the Deceased before the procedures begin, and if reasonable lifelike appearance can be achieved, the Family will be eternally grateful, this will also ease the grieving process on them, which should be every Funeral Directors goal.
When should these procedures be employed;
If a Funeral Director receives a call from a Family with a removal or is informed of the cause of death, it is the Funeral Directors duty to investigate the presentation of the Deceased. If the Funeral Director handles the removal, then the evidence will be obvious, if the Person has already been removed to a Hospital for Coroners investigation, then the Funeral Director should contact the Hospital Staff or Police to enquire about the condition of the Deceased, or better still make a visit to the Hospital and see first hand the extent of the damage.
Sometimes overpowering figures in authority may decide for the Family that viewing is not possible, but remember You are the FUNERAL DIRECTOR and Your job is to decide whether viewing is possible or not, You are in a more qualified position than anyone when it comes to handling of Deceased and if You Personally are in doubt then the Irish Association of Funeral Directors has given You a card with some telephone numbers on them, don’t be afraid to wring someone and ask there advice. With careful consultation with a QUALIFIED EMBALMER/RESTORATIVE ARTIST You should be able to get a clearer picture of what’s possible. Well meaning Professionals in other areas may not be as well informed of the options available and You will only prove how Professional Funeral Directors are by explaining this to a Family.
A professional qualified Embalmer/Restorative Artist will be able to evaluate the situation very quickly and explain the options available, and the time involved, I Personally find that the Families are quite willing to allow enough time if they are approached with professionalism and due respect. Sometimes it is necessary for the Restorative Artist to talk to the Families and this can help if approached correctly and with the utmost respect shown towards the Family.
A professional Embalmer/Restorative Artist is more qualified than most Hospital Staff, so please seek there advice, because it is You the Funeral Director and all of Us in the Funeral Trade who will benefit from the GOOD EXPOSURE, and We certainly need that more than ever now.
Conclusion;
These professional People like the ID are there for all Our benefits, Like embalming the Embalmer is not Personally receiving the praise, when the Funeral is over it’s the Funeral Director in charge who is acknowledged in the local paper, and whose Name is talked about in the local establishments. The Restorative Artist came and went, but it was the Family Funeral Director who thought of giving the advice and eventually got the job done, when other Professionals decided and advised a closed coffin was in order, the Funeral Director showed the Family how Professional We are, and the next time they come across a similar situation they may decide to call the true Professional’s first.