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Editor’s note: The writer did not disclose the full identity of the person interviewed as requested by the latter.
“My day begins when somebody died.”
In the midst of grieving and a day fueled with emotions, they are the people who remain calm to coordinate with the ones who lost a loved one.
Their job might be odd and takes a lot of courage, expertise, and respect. If there will be the last one to make a cadaver smile, not literally though, credits will be given to them. They are the embalmers.
Respect, presence of mind and a lot of courage: the first time embalmer who I had the chance to interview remembers her first encounter with a corpse. Yes, HER. She’s a woman in her 30s, who happened to manage their first family-owned business — a memorial home.
“For the information of other people, we are also required to have license and we attend seminars about embalming which are accredited by the Department of Health. Hindi lang kami basta-basta nagpeperform ng embalming. Alam namin kung pano gawin yon at lisensyado kami.”
It’s hard to make people look good when they passed away more so when they had suffered from so much pain battling an illness or a gruesome accident.
“Nakakatuwa pagka umaalis yung pamilya tapos sasabihin nila na “Ay ang ganda ng Nanay o ng Tatay. Parang natutulog lang.” We get inspiration dun sa mga naririnig naming ganon.”
She narrated that it was hard to overcome fear in doing what she does and of course in reassuring that the whole process will be performed well and with full of respect. Her first time encounter with a corpse made her shiver but eventually got used to it. But making the family of the dead person know that their loved one is in good hands, that somehow eases her job.
“Risky ang embalming kung hindi ka marunong. Pero nung natapos ko ‘yung process, ay, kaya ko naman pala.”
The delight in her eyes expressed how happy she is with her job. She mentioned that it’s a noble profession and people must treat all embalmers with respect for they perform a duty that somehow tries to erase the sadness of the family left behind.
“Hindi natin masasabi kung saan at kailan tayo mamatay. Ako, ina-assure ko na magiging maganda o gwapo sya. Parang kung gagalangin mo yung patay magkakaron ka ng good karma.”
When asked about her career, she said that hers is a busy one because memorial homes and funeral parlors, like hospitals, don’t have regular working hours. She said her job is like a doctor on-call.
“There are times na papasok na kami sa [mall] for family day, andun na kami sa entrance ng mall tapos may tatawag, service daw. So wala kang choice. Either ako o yung mister ko ang uuwi pabalik para magtrabaho.”
At the end of the day, she and her family remain intact while adjusting to the nature of their work. She said her profession as an embalmer goes beyond making the body look good as showing empathy to the mourning family is always part of the job.
I believe we have to admire these people. As embalmers, theirs is not an easy job. Most people find it scary and even gross. As individuals, they have to live well, too, and because of what they have to perform everyday, they have deeper understanding about living and dying.
Before our conversation ended, she left me with a thought that whenever and wherever I go, I should pray and be thankful for the gift of life. Death shouldn’t be feared if you’ve lived well. Lastly, always pay respect to whoever we encounter: be it a living man or a dead one.
