For many people, the thought of working in a mortuary can be frightening. The sight of bodies, the silence of the facility and long-standing beliefs that the dead could somehow return to life have contributed to several misconceptions about what happens behind mortuary doors.
But for mortuary workers, the job is far removed from the fear and superstition often associated with it. They say their work is primarily focused on preserving the dignity of the deceased, helping to establish facts surrounding deaths, and maintaining accurate records.
One of the major responsibilities in some mortuaries is assisting with autopsies. An autopsy is a medical examination of a body carried out to help determine the cause of death, particularly in cases where the circumstances surrounding the death require further investigation.
Another common misconception is that deceased persons can wake up inside a mortuary.
Mortuary workers explain that once a doctor has formally certified a person as dead, procedures are followed to confirm and document the death before the body is received and handled according to the appropriate category.
Mortuary workers also explain the role of formalin, a chemical used in the preservation and preparation of bodies. According to a mortuary worker, once a doctor has certified a person as dead, preservation procedures may involve the use of formalin to slow the decomposition process.
The use of formalin is therefore part of the preservation process and is not intended to prevent a deceased person from coming back to life, as some misconceptions suggest.
Beyond the handling and preservation of bodies, mortuaries also perform an important administrative function.
Workers maintain records of the number of bodies received within a given period, the number released to families for burial, and the number that remain at the facility.
Bodies are also categorised according to the nature of each case. These may include embalming cases, police cases and autopsy cases, with each category requiring specific procedures and documentation.
For mortuary workers, the job is therefore not about fear or the supernatural. It involves medical procedures, preservation, identification, documentation and the respectful handling of the deceased.
While myths and misconceptions about mortuaries may continue to circulate, understanding what actually happens inside these facilities can help replace fear with facts—and provide greater appreciation for the workers who perform this often misunderstood but important responsibility.
Ahotor Online
Sorkpa Jennifer