Have you ever wondered about what goes on behind the scenes of a funeral home? Do you ever wonder what funeral practices are like from the point of view of an employee? This special insight can help us overcome fear of the unknown when it comes to attending funeral services.

Embalming helps sanitize and preserve a loved one lost to help the family under certain conditions. Have you ever wondered about the embalming process and its benefits?

If you want to know more about a funeral service from an embalmer’s perspective, then listen to this episode of Forever in their Hearts, where host Erik Reynolds discusses the topic with Valerie Martell, Director of Operations for Martin Brothers Funeral Services in Vancouver.

Law, religion, and the health of the person prior to their death all make a difference in the practice of embalming. This podcast is your chance to learn more about why embalming takes place and if it is a requirement at Vancouver funeral homes like Martin Brothers.

What Is Embalming?

Valerie kicks off the episode by explaining what embalming is from her perspective as an embalmer at Martin Brothers in Vancouver.

Then Valerie offers us a behind-the-scenes look at the embalming practices at a funeral home. She draws from past experiences to offer insightful examples that back up the information.

There are many reasons why a family might choose or need embalming services for their loved one lost. You’ll hear several of the reasons during this podcast.

Is Embalming an Absolute?

Next Valerie discusses if embalming is a necessary requirement before the funeral or memorial service for a loved one lost. During this episode you’ll hear answers to questions like:

- How long can a family wait before making a decision about embalming?
- In what case would a body absolutely need to be embalmed before a service?
- Does the type of service influence the decision whether to embalm or not?

Now ask yourself these two things: Do I want to save my family the stress of making these decisions? Am I interested in learning more about whether embalming is necessary? If you answered “Yes” to either or both of these questions, then Martin Brothers can offer advice.

What Is the Value in Viewing the Deceased?

Valerie then segues into the topic of why people hold a viewing and the value of having the deceased present during a funeral or memorial service at the funeral chapel in Vancouver..

Then Valerie goes on to discuss how a viewing at the service might benefit family members who saw their loved one lost go downhill toward the end of their life.

When one person is making the funeral planning decisions for a deceased family member, Valerie suggests talking to the rest of the family before making final decisions about things like viewings.

Wrapping up the episode, Valerie reveals her final thoughts on funerals from an embalmer’s perspective.

Are You Ready to Make Funeral Decisions?

Do you have questions about the embalming process? Are you ready to tackle funeral pre-planning now to save your family the stress of making those decisions later? Share your comments, personal experiences, and questions below so we can talk them over with you.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services has more than 100 years of experience in providing thoughtful, dedicated services to families dealing with loss. If you are ready to take care of funeral pre-arrangements, have additional questions about their services, or are dealing with a loss, please contact them at their Vancouver office.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services

Vancouver: Funeral Services Centre
3398 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 2C1

Telephone Number: 778.330.7799
Toll Free Number: 1.800.382.2901
Fax Number: 778.330.7633

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinBrothersFuneralChapelsBcLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinbrothers1