Posted by Heather Rutz on Dec 21, 2017
A "live" discussion on death...
As an adolescent, Demi Burden knew she wanted to be a funeral director. Her parents thought it was a creepy and scary job. It turns out, so do most people.
Demi, a fellow Rotarian and vice president at Chamberlain Huckeriede Funeral Home, pulled back the curtain on her job during a question and answer session Monday with Lima Rotary Club.
“In the seventh grade, my parents were asking what I wanted to do, and I said, ‘I’m going to be a funeral director.’ My parents said no. But it stuck; I researched the field. It always felt like the right thing for me.”
Later, her parents toured her school and came to see it not as a scary or creepy thing, and have always supported her work, she said.
“I’m proud to serve families at a time when they need it the most,” Burden said.
So, on with the questions and answers:
Is it really six feet under? Yes.
Is embalming required by law? No. However, if a body will be viewed, funeral directors will want the body embalmed.
Does Demi do makeup and hair? Yes. She just purchased a new airbrush machine that helps make a person more natural-looking than made up.
Does Ohio law require a funeral home to dispose of a body?
“It’s not required, but I’d recommend it. It can get complicated if you don’t.”
What do you wear when you prepare someone? Demi wears surgical gloves, a gown, shoe covers and a mask. These things are to protect her. “We treat everyone the same, and assume there could be any risk, so we are careful with everyone.”
It seems like more people are moving toward cremation? What do most people do with the ashes?
Cremation happens about half the time, now, Burden said.
“It’s a lot more popular, and I don’t think that’s just because it’s cheaper,” Burden said. “There are so many cool things you can do with the cremated remains. If you say you want to scatter them, I say ‘a-la-la, I can’t hear you,’ because legally you’re not supposed to that. I always say to respect your loved one’s wishes.”
Ever experience any post-mortem movement?
“Yeah, I about peed my pants. It scares you. Sometimes people make noises. That’s not a super normal thing. It’s happened to me one time, and I’m glad because I don’t think my heart could take any more.”
To watch the whole conversation, visit the Lima Rotary Club on Facebook and watch the video.