I was working in the crematory, and accidentally cut myself. I was rushing to get some ashes transferred to another urn, because the family was waiting up front. Jabbed myself in the thumb with the wire cutters that we use to get the zip ties off of the bags that hold the ashes inside the urn. Cleaned it up and put a Band-Aid on it. Few days later it still hurt like crazy. I saw when I looked at it that there is a little bit of pus coming out. I squeezed it a little and a little short of bone popped out. Felt a lot better once it fell out!

As an embalmer, I will be cremated. If people knew what we do to them when we embalm, fewer people would choose it.

In funeral director circles, the topic of embalming your loved ones comes up a lot. Some people want to, so they know they get the best care. Some people, like me, would rather ask an embalmer they trust to do it.

As far as embalming certification, it varies by state. Colorado is notorious for embalming not requiring licensure. Minnesota requires a 4 year degree. So it’s hard to say if he was official or not.

I once walked around for two days with a piece of someone else’s bone stuck in my thumb.