There has always been a "mystique" concerning the mysteries surrounding death - especially those activities regarding the functions of those who become responsible for the examination, treatment and disposition of the dead body. The study of such matters is called "Thanatology." This book reveals the life of a person who, from a very young age, has experienced various facets of the death process including, autopsies and mortuary operations. This is an eye-opening treatise on the various activities which surround the processing of a human body for its final disposition: this book includes, the description of the normal Autopsy (done by regular pathologists who seek to learn more about disease) as well as the Forensic Autopsy (regarding deaths from unnatural causes such as suicide, homicide accidental, etc. causes) performed by a Medical Examiner's examiner. The book further enters into the world of the mortician and the aspects of body management he/she must perform. There is also a discussion about various religious rituals which are the con-cern of the Funeral Director who must plan a proper service or memorial. Body preparation is a major aspect of the morticians's work - the book will describe the step-by-step process of this function and a discussion regarding caskets, cremation, urns a cemeteries and the various types of final disposition types is included. This book is suitable for anyone considering a career in an aspect of thanatology or for anyone who has had the curiosity as to what actually happens behind those closed doors. It also serves as a starting point for further discussion on death and dying. It is an attempt to 'unlock' the mysteries of the death "business" to help us to better understand and accept the fact that we are faced with the possibility of death regarding our family loved ones, friends, and even ourselves. It reminds us of our own mortality and how we will prepare for the inevitable. It is also a reminder that we can anticipate our own death and realize that there are people trained to care for our physical bodies and also a reminder that we should also prepare for our spiritual departure. The last chapter of this book relates a different aspect of work in the mortuary. Yes, as in any occupation, there are humorous things which occur while working in this serious business. The book closes with a sequence of humorous stories surrounding the work of the author during his tenure in the thanatology business. These stories are true as they occurred with the author, but, it is certain, other people in this business can also relate humorous stories from their experiences..
About the Author: Dr. Richard Perez has been, primarily an educator, having complete the Educational Doctorate in Educational Administration at Arizona State University. As a retired college professor of Sociology and Education (18 years), he also served a Dean of Continuing Education (6 years) at a 16,000 student Community College. This was after he retired from a 28 year military service with the US Air Force. As a young man, he yearned to enter medical school. As a preliminary to that, he worked in hospitals. In his final year of high school, he began working in mortuaries and was nearly ready to enter mortuary college when he received another calling for a college degree. It was not medical school since his would-be sponsor had passed away. At the end of his undergraduate program, he was commissioned in the USAF. At that point, he diverged from the mortuary work except for part-time opportunities which he did during all of his careers. He served as head-diener at the University of Utah Medical College in the Forensic Pathology Lab (3 years) under the direction of Dr. James T. Weston, then President of the Forensic Medical Examiner' Association. In the Air Force, he served as Assistant to the Mortuary Officer on two bases, and did part-time work in pathology unit wherever he traveled. While an FAA Air Traffic Controller, he also part-timed himself in another autopsy lab. While working as a College Dean, he began a part-time position in a mortuary as a Apprentice Mortician where he learned all the aspects of mortuary operations. When told he had to attend a mortuary college to get certified, he decided that he didn't want to move again, so, relying on his expertise as a Educational Administrator, he decided to develop his own Mortuary College in his town. His 6-year planning evolved into the first program of its type in his state. His planning included coordination with the State offices which governed such matters, coordinating cooperation with all state funeral homes, obtaining a building from a college, redesigning it, furnishing it and designing an acceptable curriculum which led to national accreditation of the school and the curriculum. This book relates many of the activities regarding the planning and envelopment of this mortuary school where youngsters can train to become embalmers and funeral directors. Dr. Perez is now retired and was written 6 books including this one. Two of the books are about the ukulele - a hobby which he has taken up.