Inside the Embalming Process: A Midwestern Professional’s Perspective on Post-Mortem Care

Key points

• Victoria Bilstein, a midwestern funeral director and author, has been an embalmer for six years and estimates she has performed at least 1,000 procedures.
• Bilstein cites childhood leg surgeries using donor bones as the inspiration for her career, viewing embalming as a way to honor those who helped save her life.
• The article describes embalming as a common method for temporarily preserving bodies after death, a process many people avoid thinking about.
• Bilstein emphasizes that post-mortem reconstruction and embalming provide families with the option for viewings, serving as a form of respect for the deceased.
• The piece is part of The Guardian’s 'Memento mori' series, which explores topics related to death and mortality.

Background

This article is part of The Guardian’s 'Memento mori' series, which examines various aspects of death and mortality. It follows earlier coverage in our archive that explored themes of grief and loss, such as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the personal struggles of public figures, but focuses specifically on the technical and emotional aspects of the funeral industry.

Why it matters

Understanding the practical and emotional aspects of embalming can help demystify the process for the public and provide insight into how funeral professionals support grieving families. It highlights the human element behind a technical procedure that is often avoided in public discourse.

What to watch

The article is part of a series, so future pieces may explore other aspects of death and mortality. There is no immediate follow-up mentioned in the source, but the series suggests ongoing coverage of related topics.