Embalming, Clothing & Dressing
Embalming and Preparation:
People have mixed feelings about embalming and aren’t sure about its relevance in modern society. Without it, nature will soon take its course.
Embalming serves three main purposes:
Your best course of action is to always ask your Funeral Director as early as possible during the preparation process. We are here to help you and accommodate your wishes as best we can.
The Funeral Director will liaise with the Embalmer in relation to the date of the funeral, the condition of the body and other circumstances as to whether embalming is required.
If it is a direct cremation then no embalming may be necessary.
Clothing and Dressing:
Being dressed in our own clothes is a vital part of who we are. We wear clothing to preserve our dignity, to keep us warm and to look and feel nice.
For our dead, we provide their clothing for their dignity, to honour who they are and for presentation should we wish to spend time with them before the service.
What to provide:
A full set of clothing including undergarments, plus any accessories i.e hats, jewellery, cosmetics and items of significance to them or the family.
We normally dress the person and place them in the casket however in accordance with cultural considerations or personal requests, the family may decide to assist in the process.
People have mixed feelings about embalming and aren’t sure about its relevance in modern society. Without it, nature will soon take its course.
Embalming serves three main purposes:
- Sanitation: The body is cleaned and made safe for handling and viewing.
- Preservation: Embalming allows more people to grieve and say goodbye. The body can be taken to your home, chapel, or a marae with no fear of odour or deterioration. (Please note that in some situations this may not be appropriate and consultation with family on individual situations is always our first step.)
- Presentation: If you would prefer a wake or open casket funeral, embalming can in most cases, restore some of your loved one’s natural appearance which can bring comfort and a sense of relief to mourners. This is best done in consultation with the Funeral Director.
Your best course of action is to always ask your Funeral Director as early as possible during the preparation process. We are here to help you and accommodate your wishes as best we can.
The Funeral Director will liaise with the Embalmer in relation to the date of the funeral, the condition of the body and other circumstances as to whether embalming is required.
If it is a direct cremation then no embalming may be necessary.
Clothing and Dressing:
Being dressed in our own clothes is a vital part of who we are. We wear clothing to preserve our dignity, to keep us warm and to look and feel nice.
For our dead, we provide their clothing for their dignity, to honour who they are and for presentation should we wish to spend time with them before the service.
What to provide:
A full set of clothing including undergarments, plus any accessories i.e hats, jewellery, cosmetics and items of significance to them or the family.
We normally dress the person and place them in the casket however in accordance with cultural considerations or personal requests, the family may decide to assist in the process.
