[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Embalmer demystifies profession: ‘It’s about compassion’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
ILOILO City – It is said that embalmers must have a strong stomach for dealing with unusual sights and smells. Thus for many people, a career in embalming may not immediately spring to mind.
But for those who have chosen to serve people from all walks of life during some of their most difficult times, embalming is a noble and compassionate profession.
It’s about respect and empathy, shares Ardee Porras, a 34-year-old licensed Ilongga embalmer.
“It’s a fulfilling profession,” she tells Panay News, because she gets to ease the burden of those in grief.
The client is not only the deceased but his/her family, thus it is important to maintain a sense of dignity for them.
“Treat them with respect,” says Porras, stressing the importance of being sensitive to the feelings of others and empathizing with the loss they are experiencing.
The embalmer is responsible for preparing and preserving the bodies of the deceased for funeral services as well as burials or cremations.
“Amo ini ang obra nga hambal nila budlay gid. Sa seven ko ka years, nasanay naman ako,” says Porras, a highly trained professional with a specialized skill set.
Porras was a Tourism graduate and previously worked in a hotel. But after marrying her husband Alfonso Jr., she decided to take up an embalming course in Manila. There, she underwent extensive theoretical and practical training because an embalmer must possess the required knowledge and qualification in physiology, anatomy, chemistry, biology and other areas to carry out the complex procedures required.
Alfonso is also a licensed embalmer and grew up in a family running a funerary business.
“My in-laws told me and my husband to focus on the family business,” says Porras.
It was not a hard decision to make, she reveals.
“Nasanay naman ko kay sang una nga mag-girlfriend and boyfriend pa lang kami sang husband ko, ari naman ko diri,” she says.
Each deceased individual is someone’s loved one; a father, mother, child, sister, brother, or other dear family member or friend. Thus Porras stresses the importance of being tactful in her profession, and treating clients like family.
Respect the deceased and their family by giving them your best effort, she says.
With a responsible and dignified approach to work, Porras works closely with the deceased’s family.
“Gina ask gid ang family kun ano ang gusto nila,” she says, referring to the preparation of the body, including the clothes to be used, even the hairstyle and makeup.
In this profession, steady hands for delicate work are a must. The ability to pay close attention to detail is a must.
For Porras, the most important thing is to have the desire to professionally care for clients and their loved ones, because the work of embalmers stays forever in the memories of family and friends when, for the last time, they give one last look to their loved one during the funeral.
Her profession is unique and Porras is thankful her children appreciate her chosen field. One of them, she says, even told her she wants to manage the family business, too, when she grows up./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
