1. #DeathIsMyBusiness: A Life Amidst Death – Inside the Mortuary

Welcome to the first episode of #Hashtag Death, a podcast bringing to the forefront one of the two certainties in life. And we’re not here to talk about taxes!

Each week, your host and celebrant Ingrid Reiger aims to educate about the lesser-known aspects of the death and dying industry from palliative care, forensics, funeral homes, celebrants, mortuaries, cemetery workers, and grief counsellors.

The first episode looks at the work of modern day embalmers as we chat to Janelle Chalmer who has spent 20 years in the profession and is passionate about educating others on some of the misconceptions of the dying process.

Please note: This episode discusses death, dying, embalming and medical issues around this procedure.

In this episode we cover:

• Challenging the misconception that embalming is no longer carried out.
• Embalming is an old process that is a natural way of preserving humans, dating back to before the Egyptians.
• Becoming an embalmer and the challenges for those on the west coast of Australia.
• Pursuing a non-traditional career and overcoming barriers.
• The sacredness of caring for the deceased and performing their last rights.
• Caring for those who you know personally.
• Dealing with caring for others and yourself as caring can be a bottomless well.
• Grief doesn’t have to be negative; it can be something beautiful.
• How death in the past had a stigma an association with being unclean.
• What exactly rigor mortis is and how an embalmer can work around this to care for the dead.
• Embalming can be useful for those who die in different positions to make them look more realistic in death.
• Dealing with family viewing the deceased if there has been trauma involved in the death.
• Walking with the family on their journey, without getting too emotionally involved.
• Starting the conversation around death and being able to have control over those choices.
• Talk around death is often reactive, but if you’ve had a conversation already it can make the process easier.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• #Hashtag Death Instagram: @hashtag_death 
• Ways to work with Ingrid: forevernow.com.au
• Ingrid Reiger’s Facebook: @forevernowcelebrant
• Ingrid Reiger’s Instagram: @ingrid_forevernowcelebrant
• Janelle on ABC: ABC Conversations
• Janelle on Mamamia’s The Quicky: Mamamia
• Lifeline: Lifeline
• Lifeline phone: 13 11 14

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