On Saturday night I was at a movie, came home and turned the television on to catch the news and learned of the missile bombardment of Israel that Iran took responsibility for.  Now, I don’t know all the nuances of the political world that comes into these types of situations around the world, but I was saddened by escalation and not peace talks.

 

For some reason I thought of not only the innocent people who are affected with casualties and death, but about the those that must now care for them as well — first responders, doctors, nurses, and unfortunately, funeral directors, morticians, and embalmers.

 

In researching the jobs that these people have to do in these difficult situations I came across this recent article from the U.S. Department of Defense titled, “With dignity and care:  Inside the process of bringing our overseas fallen home”.   Even as a licensed funeral director who has supervised the services and burial of four active duty servicemen in my career, the article was very interesting.

 

For instance did you know that, according to the article, “funeral industry standards use formaldehyde with a 2.5% concentration strength”, yet the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) use a concentration strength between 5-10% ?

 

Or that the AFMAO has four levels of what they term “viewability”?

 

According to the article the port mortuary at Travis Air Force Base in California closed in 2001.  That has left the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware as the only remaining military mortuary port in the United States.

 

An article about warfare and the after effects of it is probably not the best way to begin a Monday morning.  But somewhere in this world our funeral director colleagues are dealing with those after effects and it is probably okay to always remember that.

 

Funeral Director Daily take:  My hat is off to those that care for our fallen.

 

My father was not in the military service so my first remembrance of those in the United States military came to me during the Vietnam War in the 1960’s while I was an elementary and middle school student.  Our home was adjacent to the funeral home and going through our records I know that we served seven Gold Star families – families of soldiers killed in action – in that time period.

 

If you are familiar with the way the military handled those services you would know that a military escort of “equal or higher” rank always accompanied the deceased through the services to the gravesite.  These escorts were always active duty military personnel and they not only accompanied the body but were present to let families know of benefits available to them and also to simply offer emotional support.

 

My father made sure that those escorts were treated exceptionally well during their time in our community.  They were always invited to our home while they were in our community for evening meals and mom served our family’s best meals.  I can remember sitting in awe of these young men in their branch dress uniforms at our dining room table.  While I don’t remember what we talked about, I was so impressed that I still remember some of their names.

 

So, if we cannot get to a peaceful world. . . let’s at least remember those, including our fellow funeral directors, who try to comfort those affected by the issues of the world we live in.

 

More news from the world of Death Care:

 

• Palm Mortuary, nearing its 100th anniversary, honored by legacy of service to the community.  Las Vegas Sun (NV)
• Carnarvon residents say this remote cemetery tells their history – but now it’s falling apart.  ABC News (Australia)
• 10 Best 6-month certificate programs tha pay well.  Arizona Education News (AZ)

 

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