AMA
I work in a Mortuary - AMA
MortuaryAMA · 15/07/2018 19:33
I know this is a sensitive topic, but in day to day life I get so many questions surrounding what it is like and how I deal with certain situations.
I will answer as honestly, tactfully and sensitively as i can.
lightonthewater · 25/07/2018 09:09
I have just read your response to my question above, sorry I didn't see it before I posted. To be clear, are organs only weighed in the case of a PM? Or is it routinely done ? Is a PM always required? You sound so lovely and so ethical, but I would hate to think of my own body or those of loved ones being cut into and desecrated like this. Perhaps I am unusual in feeling this way, but I really recoil at the idea.
tuppenceabag · 25/07/2018 09:30
This is fascinating - thank you. I'd love to do a job like this: where might you find your job advertised? I've always been interested in pathology. Can I also ask whether someone can ask for a PM? My sister died in hospital and it was horrific, but no PM was çonducted. It's obviously years too late now, but could we have asked for one?
unadventuretime · 25/07/2018 19:20
There is something about this job that can make you incredibly reckless
Do you think this is because you see death as random (people dying young when they've done all the "right" things etc), so you might as well do what you want? Or because you want to completely forget about work when you're not there? Or something else entirely?
MortuaryAMA · 27/07/2018 08:56
Is one incision made and all the organs removed from one large incision?
For a standard PM, yes. We make an incision from just below the ear, round and down to the Sternal Notch (the little V at the top of the sternum, between the Collarbones) and then straight down to the top of the pubic bone.
OP, do you know if what my Dad says is indeed possible?
And if so, have you ever released a patient's body to be collected by their own family or friends?
Yes, it's absolutely possible and I have done it a few times. There are rules you have to follow to enable you to do this. You will need a suitable vehicle with no or blacked out windows and the police will need to be informed that you have a deceased person with you, in case you have a crash. There are also rules about crossing county borders. Contact your local funeral director and they will be able to help as some rules are area specific.
Can you tell me why you remove the organs? What is the reason? What if the person specifically didn't want this to happen? Would it be respected?
We remove the organs so they can be thoroughly inspected. This is so that the pathologist can determine the overall health of the organ and specify the correct cause of death.
Unfortunately, a post mortem is a legal process so it cannot be refused. But we would never do a PM on someone without very good reason.
To be clear, are organs only weighed in the case of a PM? Or is it routinely done ? Is a PM always required?
They are only weighed in the case of a necessary PM. A PM will only be required where there is no clear cause of death, where a patient had a fall in the previous 24 hours, and in cases where the patient had surgery within the last year. We try and avoid them if at all possible.
You aren't unusual at all in your thinking either. What we do isn't normal and I can fully understand why nobody would like it done to them or a loved one.
Can I also ask whether someone can ask for a PM? My sister died in hospital and it was horrific, but no PM was çonducted. It's obviously years too late now, but could we have asked for one?
You can indeed ask for a hospital PM to be done. It would come at a cost to the family and you would have been talked through the process very thoroughly with a member of our mortuary team and discussed the decision with the consultant responsible. If you were still willing to go ahead with it after discussion we would have facilitated this for you.
I am sorry you lost your sister under horrific circumstances. It can be hard enough when a loved one dies naturally. 
As for where I found the job, they come up on NHS jobs and council websites where a borough or county has a private mortuary facility.
Do you think this is because you see death as random (people dying young when they've done all the "right" things etc), so you might as well do what you want? Or because you want to completely forget about work when you're not there? Or something else entirely?
All of the above and more! It really affects me when someone around my own age comes to us. Ultimately life can be taken away from you completely unexpectedly, so I try not to dwell on the little things and (within reason) do the things I want to do, go and visit places I long to see, write the book, get the tattoo, take the kids to Disney world and just live life to the fullest extent I can.
Would you know what actually happens when someone donates their body to medical science?
My DM has recently told us she wants to do this and it has really upset me. I just wondered if you knew what is involved in this, really.
It all depends on where the body is donated to. I know that in anatomy school it is used for doctors to utilise the skills they are learning. Other places use parts of the body for research, like particular organs.
It is understandable that your Mum's decision is upsetting to you. My advice would be to find out her exact wishes (Anatomy school, research, or otherwise) and speak to the organisation directly. It may help ease your mind a little.
I just want to thank you all for your questions and for your compliments, too. I hope I have answered them as thoroughly as you expected.
ImAGoofyGoober · 27/07/2018 09:01
I’m interested in persuing a career like this and have been reading your advice about volunteering for a bereavement charity. I just wanted to ask what sort of questions you are usually asked in a job interview? How would you answer when they ask why you want to do this job? All I can think is that I’m just really interested in death!
MortuaryAMA · 30/08/2018 19:35
Hello all. Sorry I haven't been back in a while. Things at work took a bit of a hectic turn.
GoofyGoober It is a difficult question isn't it! A lot of the jobs are scenario based and aren't designed to catch you out. We like people to draw on their experiences to answer them and not try to bluff their way through by telling us what they think we want to hear.
To answer that specific question my answer would be towards anatomy and physiology, investigation and most importantly supporting the bereaved through the process.
Thank you all again for your questions. I am still about and happy to answer more if anyone has any.
Maliali · 30/08/2018 22:22
You sound such a lovely person. Do you think Most hospitals will show as much care towards babies and children as yours does? My darling grandson was stillborn and is awaiting post mortem. I can’t bear to think of him just wrapped in a bag and on a shelf. I hope he will have a cosy little outfit on and a soft toy like you do for your babies. It hasn’t really sunk in for me or for my Dd but I’m really tearful just asking you this. Thank you for doing what you do with such respect and compassion
MrBull · 31/08/2018 09:40
💐 @Maliali for you and dd
I've been there, it's a horrid time. We were assured our son had all his things with him (blanket, toy etc.) but nothing takes away that awful feeling that they're alone somewhere strange. I felt more at peace after the cremation but I also tried to remember that his spirit was with us, not in the mortuary.
P.S. Some hospitals allow visits, normally via the chapel/chaplain.
Oogle · 31/08/2018 10:02
This is such an interesting thread.
My beloved grandmother died recently, suddenly and unexpectedly. She was fine at 6am, had breakfast, a cigarette, cup of tea, sat on the sofa..and she was gone. She died before 12pm.
We visited her in the hospital mortuary before PM, she still had the tube in from where they attempted CPR. When we visited again at the funeral home, her mouth was obviously sutured and her jaw looked funny - would they have maybe had to break her jaw to remove the tube? It doesn't really matter, I guess, it's just something which is bothering me as my Grandfathers mouth was just glued.
She apparently died of pneumonia. We had no idea she was ill - of course, being a smoker masks a bad cough, but I cannot get my head around it.
I didn't need to hear that one of the pathologists was known as "the butcher" when we were discussing what clothes to put her in - I really hope she didn't have that one. I hope she had someone who treated her and her body with respect.
TwinMummy1981 · 10/10/2018 11:34
This is such an interest thread. Thank you so much for starting it!! I’m so sorry for everyone that has commented that they’ve lost someone special
I’ve always known I want to get into something medical (I’m 37 now so need to do something otherwise I’m going to get too old for a career change). Do you ever have work experience/volunteers come in to see if it’s something they think they could do?
Ordy1710 · 06/01/2020 19:58
Hi,
I know this is an old thread but I’m hoping MortuaryAMA may still see this.
I was wondering about the risk assessment for pregnant mortuary technicians? I don’t work in a mortuary myself but have a job that requires frequent attendance at post mortems.
Many thanks
Biber · 12/01/2020 10:46
My daughter and I did a DIY funeral for my hsband/her father. The hospital mortuary staff were wonderful to us in this venture and were ready to healp her shroud him.
But last minute we were advised a closed coffin would be necessary, with an absorbant liner and that due to skin slippage he probably wouldn't be the best for her first experience of shrouding.
This was about two weeks after he died. Maybe a litle more. I don't understand why he deteriorated so fast. he was taken from home after dying of a heart atack with maybe 2 hours. Goodness, I've not got the timings for that night.
He's have been refridgerated at the funeral directors and the hospital surely? There was an autopsy. Why was he decomposing already?
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