Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
A Research Submitted
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course
Practical Research 1 (RES 001)
By
DEDICATION
It would not be possible for our group to conduct this research, if not because of those
The researchers wants to express their deepest thanks to the parents who supported
each member of the group from the financial need and guidance. Especially to the father of
Miguel Tabirao, Nestor Tabirao who helped most to find participants, and also helped with
Also, special thanks to the validator who validated our research questions; Mr. Jayvee
Cebu, Ms. Lea Santos, Ms. Cleofe Lasic, Mr. John Marcel Manrique, and Ms. Josa Fina Paga.
Above all, the researchers are grateful for God for giving us strength to finish through
The researchers are very grateful for the guidance of Mr. Aljon Concillado and our panel
And lastly, the researchers appreciate all the participants who gave their time and
shared their thoughts freely; it has been a big contribution to this study.
A STUDY ON THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCES OF EMBALMERS IN SELECTED FUNERAL
HOMES
ABSTRACT
The researchers studied, ask and analyze the answer about embalmers and their experiences,
where in it answered the problems: (1) Why did they take this kind of profession; (2) How did
they manage to get a stable life through this job. This study was conducted using qualitative,
participants from funeral homes in Manila. The data was collected using audio-recording and
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Chapter 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction …………………………………………….. 1
Background of the Study ………………………………. 3
Statement of the Problem ………………………………. 3
Significance of the Study ………………………………. 4
Definition of terms ………………………………………. 4
Scope and Limitations ………………………………………. 4
Theoretical Framework ………………………………………. 6
Conceptual Framework………………………………………. 7
Summary …………………………………………………………… 25
Conclusion................................................................................... 26
Recommendations …………………………………………… 26
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Chapter 1
The problem and its Background
An embalmer is a highly trained professional with a specialized skill set. In a funeral home, the
embalmer is responsible for embalming and preparing the bodies of the deceased for funeral
services as well as burials or cremations. This may involve removing blood and replacing it with
embalming fluid, performing complex reconstruction to disguise damage, and applying makeup
to provide a peaceful, relaxing appearance. During the course of the work, embalmers must be
in direct contact with the deceased. This means that they are regularly exposed to bodily fluids
and, possibly, infectious diseases. In addition, they may have to deal with situations that can be
highly traumatic, such as child deaths, victims of traumas, and more. As such, it is important for
embalmers to be able to deal with large amounts of stress and to have a high level of stamina,
as some cases will take very long hours and an extreme amount of work (MorticianSchool.net).
Mortality was significantly elevated for cancers of the skin, kidney, and brain among those
licensed only as embalmers, whereas mortality patterns were unremarkable among those
licensed also as funeral directors (and presumably less exposed to formaldehyde). These
preliminary results indicate the need for occupational cohort studies to clarify the carcinogenic
The exact causes of mortality among licensed embalmers are not yet discovered. But, what is
known up to these days is that, mortality among embalmers is mainly affecting the Nervous
Embalming processes causes more than mortality among embalmers, but also causes traumatic
might as well they have direct contact with a dead body. Disgusting or horrifying as it seems for
others, for them it might be exhausting for them (embalmers) since we all don’t know when
death is going to come. When many departures from life happens their responsibilities
Another tiring thing for them is dealing with the family of the deceased. It’s so hard for everyone
to lose someone they loved, and embalmers are liable for taking care of their deceased loved
ones for the last time. It may be hard for them to deal with a family whose deceased loved ones
dies from a tragic happening or the family can’t accept that they lose a family member.
How other people perceive embalmers are important, according to J. Smith (2015) preserving
dead bodies for a living might seem weird or creepy or depressing. "But it's actually one of the
most rewarding jobs in the world," says John "Jack" Mitchell IV, a sixth generation funeral
director and embalmer. Other people may think that it’s not fulfilling to be an embalmer since
they deal with dead people and mourning families but it’s not the truth, it can be satisfying for
embalmers since it’s their job. "By far the most rewarding part of the job is the gratification that
families show for all that you have done for them. Some of them really do appreciate the difficult
nature of the job, that you are available to them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, that you deal
in loss, sadness, and grief on a daily basis, and that what you have done for them was so
helpful, sometimes suggesting that they could not have 'made it through' without you (J. Smith,
2015).
This research paper named A study on the relevant experiences of embalmers in selected
funeral homes r eveals the stories of embalmers in a simple aspect. The embalming processes
they perform are observed and analyzed. It will also show different perspective on how
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embalmers accomplish and appreciate their job. The study will draw to a close after answering
the statement of the problem and introducing the significance of the study gathered and meets
Our major concern is about the relevant experiences of the Embalmers in the
Philippines, specifically in Metro Manila. In this study, the researchers would like to know what
does it really like to be an embalmer, if it is weird, creepy, or depressing, and how does one
become an embalmer. The researchers will sort out the unexpected happenings in the line of
work of embalmers like experiencing panic and anxiety attacks while working and how does it
affect their profession. Also, what are their coping strategies and how are they going to
overcome unpredictable phenomena. Furthermore, the researchers will try to look into the
possible health risks of an embalmer, if it is really true that Embalmers are at risk or it is just a
myth. We would also like to reveal the income of an entry level embalmer and a senior level
embalmer.
Before we end our study, the researchers are going to determine how other people
perceive embalmers because of the current job that they have. We will also distinguish the
process of embalming and how it works. According to Ehda Dagooc, funeral homes should
change their images since the funeral industry is in demand, and being a funeral director is not
a bad career choice. We will discover and learn something about embalmers and embalming.
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Statement of the Problem
The purpose of this study is to know the experiences and how does it affect their daily
1. What are the lived and relevant experiences of embalmers of the urban areas?
2. How do these experiences reflect the lives of the job of a mortician in the
To the Families: This phenomenological research mostly purposes is to explore the life
of embalmers and how their job affects their mental and physical health. The research can be a
guide to the families of other embalmers of how much toll embalmers deal in their job.
To the Embalmers: This study will help future Embalmers to have an idea about their
chosen career.
To the future Researchers: this research would like to serve as a basis for their future
study.
The researchers of this study only focuses on people with Embalming profession and
their experiences.
The coverage of the study is only limited to the experience of the embalmers. It means
that it doesn’t include the experiences of the family or relatives connected to the body that the
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embalmers would talk about. It also limited to the experiences of the relatives of the embalmers
themselves.
The funerals that we interviewed don’t include big funeral companies. The researchers
And lastly, the researchers of this study will only use the embalmers working in selected
Definition of Terms
Embalmers - people who specialize in treating a dead body with special chemicals to keep it
from decaying.
Funeral Homes - an establishment where the dead are prepared for burial or cremation.
Death - the end of life; the time when someone or something dies.
Exposure - the fact or condition of being affected by something or experiencing something the
condition of being exposed to something the act of revealing secrets about someone or
Risk - the possibility that something bad or unpleasant (such as an injury or a loss) will happen.
Formaldehyde - a chemical that is used to prevent decay in the dead bodies of people and
animals.
License - an official document, card, etc., that gives you permission to do, use, or have
something.
Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework above shows the flow of the study conducted. The
researchers only explore the risk and benefits embalmers are experiencing, in a
phenomenological research approach. It seeks the connections between their experiences and
how it affects them in a bad or good way. It explore the same lifestyle of the selected
The conceptual framework shown indicates the flow of the study conducted. In this
study, the researchers explores how the embalmers take their risks through their job. It also
shows the benefits that the embalmers are gaining. Lastly, the researchers explains the different
Chapter 2
This chapter will serve as a guide to the researchers as the backbone of their research,
as the following existing literature and studies will become the foundation of this paper and also
to become a proof of already explored topics. It also provides evidence for theoretical ideas that
Embalming as a whole
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Embalming refers to the preservation of human remains via inhibiting decomposition with the
use of chemicals for the purpose of medical education or social reasons (Biology Dictionary,
2018). According to Biology Dictionary, 2018 embalming has a main goals elaborated below.
(1) Sanitizing the body during embalming involves washing the body in antimicrobial and
(2) Preservation of the body during embalming involves the removal of the blood and interstitial
fluid, and replacing it with embalming fluid. Although the body will eventually decompose, such
chemicals are able to temporarily preserve the body in its most recent condition.
(3) Presentation during embalming typically involves preparing the body for viewing during
funeral services. During this process, the embalmer will stage the body by massaging the limbs
to dispel the signs of rigor mortis, set the facial expression, shave the body, style the hair, dress
These three types obviously focus on preserving the body and looking presentable in the
coming funeral.
trained professional with a specialized skill set. To become an embalmer, one must attain very
specific qualifications and land a position with a licensed funeral home, laboratory, or research
facility (Mortician School, 2019). It’s also their job to make the relatives of the deceased to be
satisfied with their work. They need to work closely on the deceased body. Embalming is
ancient Egypt, where, as in parts of Asia and South America, a dry soil and climate encouraged
its development (Young, 2017). Embalming techniques starts in Egypt through mummification.
The early practice of wrapping the dead in cloth and burying them in charcoal and sand beyond
the reach of the Nile waters preserved the corpses, which retained form and features for a long
period (Rogers, 2018). Mummies are majorly featured in mythology of Egypt as it signifies
immortality and physical resurrection. It is believed that the body had to be attractive enough to
lure the soul back, that’s why highly skilled embalmers took exquisite care to preserve it.
It is held that embalming skill reached a peak during the New Kingdom period between 1738
and 1102 bc, the most detailed description of the various methods was given by the
5th-century-bce Greek historian Herodotus (Young, 2017). According to the Herodotus, the
most elaborate method for the royal deceased is to first remove the vital organs such as brain,
intestines and will be washed in a palm wine, placed in jars, called Canopic Jars, filled with
herbs. Then the body cavity is filled with myrrh and other aromatic resins and perfume. This
The practice of Embalming began in the late 1800’s, during the Victorian era, as a means to
preserve human remains for scientific study. It grew steadily in the 19th century in the funeral
industry as demand increased by those who wished to be buried in remote locations and display
the body of the deceased (Matlack, 2016). It also stated that because of Civil War in America,
the practice of embalming exponentially grows, as many deceased body return from war.
History of Embalming
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According to Britannica.com, in 2019, the beginning of the art and techniques of
embalming are associated principally with ancient Egypt, where, as in parts of Asia and South
America, a dry soil and climate encouraged its development. The early practice of wrapping the
dead in cloth and burying them in charcoal and sand beyond the reach of the Nile waters
preserved the corpses, which retained form and features for a long period. Those naturally
preserved mummies are believed to have influenced the religious doctrines because they
seemed to prove that the individual existed after his death. A belief in immortality and physical
resurrection was central to Egyptian religion, both to the sun worship of early periods and to the
later cult of Osiris. Central to the latter was the belief that when all of the elements that were
present in life—soul, name, shadow, heart, and body—were reunited, the person would be
resurrected, as the god Osiris was after his brother killed and dismembered him.
Since the body had to be attractive enough to lure back the soul and other elements, the highly
skilled and trained embalmers took exquisite care to preserve it. Although it is held that
embalming skill reached a peak during the New Kingdom period between 1738 and 1102 BCE,
the most detailed description of the various methods was given by the 5th-century-BCE Greek
historian Herodotus. The most elaborate method, at first reserved for the royal dead, involved
surgical procedures. The brain, intestines, and other vital organs were removed, washed in
palm wine, and placed in vases, known as canopic jars, filled with herbs. The body cavities were
filled with powder of myrrh and other aromatic resins and perfumes. The incisions were stitched,
and the body was covered in natron (hydrated sodium carbonate) until it dried out, after which it
was lightly washed, wrapped in cotton bandages, dipped in a gummy substance, and finally
coffined and entombed. In a less expensive procedure, oil of cedar was injected into the body,
which was then placed in nitre for 70 days. When the body was removed, the oil was withdrawn
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along with fleshy parts of the body, so that only skin and bones remained. A third method,
employed on the bodies of the poor, consisted of purging the intestines and covering the body
Archaeologists have found evidence of a high degree of embalming skill in the burial chambers
of the prehistoric Paraca Indians of Peru. The Guanches, aborigines of the Canary Islands,
used methods much like those of the Egyptians, removing the viscera and filling the cavity with
salt and vegetable powders. The Jívaro tribes of Ecuador and Peru took the additional
precaution of ensuring the immortality of their chiefs by roasting their embalmed bodies over
very low fires. In Tibet some bodies are still embalmed according to an ancient formula: the
corpse is put in a large box and packed in salt for about three months, after which it is in
mummified condition.
The ancient Babylonians, Sumerians, and Greeks seldom practiced any but the most superficial
kind of embalming, anointing the body with unguents, perfumes, and spices. Nor did the Jews
employ embalming procedures, with the notable exception of Joseph, who ordered embalming
for himself and his father, and further departed from Jewish custom by having his body placed in
a coffin. Among the ancients who profoundly influenced Western culture only the Romans
employed cavity embalming, not for religious reasons but for the temporary preservation of
bodies exhibited for some time before burial. Although there is evidence that some early
considering them pagan customs that mutilated the corpse. Such scruples were sometimes
overcome by the desire to have an outstanding person linger on, a desire that was reinforced by
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the belief that the bodies of some of the devout were kept intact after death as a mark of divine
Charlemagne, whose embalmed and richly dressed corpse was placed in a sitting position in his
tomb at Aachen after his death in 814. The body of the 11th-century Spanish epic hero El Cid,
which remained seated on an ivory chair in the monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña for a
During the middle Ages and the Renaissance a modest amount of embalming was done
by specialists who employed the elaborate Egyptian method. For its return from France to
England, the body of the 12th-century English king Henry I was embalmed and eviscerated and
the cavities stuffed with medicinal herbs. But during the Middle Ages, embalming was such an
expensive procedure that even most royal personages could not afford it; involving, as it did, the
use of costly spices, unguents, wax, and wrappings in addition to the prices charged by skilled
embalmers. Moreover, religious opposition was so strong and skill so limited that few would
consider it. Instead, cerecloths, strips of fabric impregnated with wax and wrapped snugly
around the body to exclude air, were used. This method of preservation was so prevalent that
cerement became a synonym for grave clothes. The interest in anatomy and surgery during the
Renaissance stimulated experiments with other embalming methods. Leonardo da Vinci, who
dissected at least 50 cadavers for study, developed a method of venous injection for preserving
them that anticipated modern embalming procedures. One 17th-century Florentine physician is
reported to have turned a corpse to stone by injecting the tissues with a solution of silicate of
Embalming Methods
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According to the article made by Rauv A., Hölzle F., Wolff K., Kesting M., Mücke T.,
(2008) courses for flap raising and microvascular exercise are considered a prerequisite to
prepare for clinical practice. They conduct a more realistic approach due to the high requirement
of microvascular and one of most demanding procedure techniques. For them to achieve a
more natural way of teaching flap raising and microvascular exercises novel cadaver embalming
method called Thiel which compare to tissue dissection of a living body. This article shows an
educational purpose used and serves as a model for surgical procedures. This reflects a
similarity of platforms between embalming and surgery are one and the same.
The art of preserving the body of the deceased has roots to Ancient Egypt as early as
6000 B.C. Embalming can take place due to either religious reasons or sanitation concerns. In
today’s world, embalming is a personal preference, and often depends on the visitation or
service arrangements made by family. As funeral professionals, we are often asked about the
preparation aspect of our business (basicfunerals.ca). So many changes has occur when it
comes to Embalming, ever since ancient Egypt. There has been many differences in preserving
a dead body. As said, in Ancient Egypt they use to mummify their Pharaohs. But, in modern
times, Embalmers uses Formaldehyde instead. There are Two types of Embalming. First, is
removed from the body via the veins and replaced with an embalming solution via the arteries.
ethanol, phenol, and water, and may also contain dyes in order to simulate a life-like skin-tone.
And the other one is Cavity Embalming. For cavity embalming, a small incision is made near the
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belly button and a sharp surgical instrument used for drainage, called a trocar, is inserted into
the body cavity. Using the trocar, organs in the chest cavity and abdomen are punctured and
drained of gas and fluid contents and then replaced with formaldehyde-based chemical
mixtures. The incision is closed, and at this point the body is fully embalmed.
There is an embalmer in one of the renowned funeral homes in Davao City. Maramara,
F. (2016) said that there were times before when he was just starting with the profession that he
will lose his appetite after embalming and worst was that corpses haunted him in his dreams but
he said those are now in the past. He used to accompany and assist his uncle who also worked
There are more deaths between Decembers to January more than any time of the year. As a
professional embalmer, he is aware of the special cases where they have to take extra caution
in handling a corpse. There are also 13 diseases he said where the body is not embalmed, this
includes Aids. Embalming is not just about sucking blood out of a dead person and putting
chemicals to preserve the body. Rather, it involves giving one’s best service while protecting
levels of the chemical formaldehyde are at much greater risk of dying from ALS—amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease When it comes to high, intense levels of exposure to
formaldehyde, one occupation rises above them all Embalming isn’t the only industry to use
formaldehyde; textile manufacturing and labs may use it too, although workers there are likely
Aside from that there is no time to choose for your job because every second there are
millions of people died, there is also need a patience as the preparation of the remains of a
deceased person is not merely a matter of time. In addition it is sometimes an unexplained event
Effects of Embalming
Since formalin is used in Embalming, according to the study of Caroline Òhman et, al. in 2008,
they made 4 groups. Formalin, a commercial source of formaldehyde, is the chemical most used
for this purpose. Formaldehyde (HCHO) was discovered in 1856 by the British chemist, August
Wilheld Von Hofmann. It is a noxious, flammable gas, extremely soluble in water. The first group
they used as control, the remaining three groups were left in the embalming solution for 48 h, 4
week, and 8 week, respectively. They noticed that nothing has really changed with the cortical
bones used in the experiment, thus they conclude that 4% of formalin solution does not affect
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bones that much. Formaldehyde is the commonest preservative used for embalming.
during their dissection course, are all exposed to formaldehyde, which in many situations,
crosses the threshold for irritation of eyes and upper respiratory tract. Prior to the Control of
formulae used for embalming fluids in Medical Schools in the UK. In the US, the permissible
zone during an 8-hour period, a ceiling concentration of 5 ppm and an acceptable maximum
peak of 10 ppm for no longer than 30 minutes during a one day shift.
As studied by Judy Warlath and Joseph Fraumeni Jr in 1983 at New York and 1984 at
California, due to Formaldehyde involvement, most causes of death among embalmers are
cancer in skin, kidney and brain (not specifically stated what type of cancer). Also, deaths from
cancers of the brain, colon, and prostate and leukemia were significantly higher than they
expected. But, no increased death was seen for cancers of the respiratory tract, including the
nasal passages, where an effect might be expected based on animal studies. Other cancer
embalmers are at risk is cancer in the blood called lymphohematopoietic malignancies also
called as myeloid leukemia. Myeloid leukemia is also caused by being exposed in formaldehyde
homes. The examples of these diseases are Tuberculosis, Mad Cow, Hepatitis, HIV, Ebola, and
MRSA. Tuberculosis can be obtained through an airborne bug that passed by the deceased
body. Stated that many funeral homes sometimes doesn’t accept bodies that died due to Mad
Cow disease. A dead body can pass the HIV virus through the blood, through the scalpel. The
Though the techniques involved may have changed, the embalming process has been
part of how we care for the dead for over 7,000 years. S.A. Bradbury,and K. Hoshino talked
about the improvement of embalming procedures that it require more chemical compared to the
traditional one. They states that it require more precise use of machines to remove the organs
inside the dead body .A successful embalming procedure necessary for long-lasting
preservation of the cadaver and its subsequent anatomical dissection has been undertaken in
our laboratory. In short, the procedure consists of a pre-embalming treatment with blood clot
disperser, removal of blood clots, drainage of blood, and arterial embalming with an embalming
machine via both carotid and femoral triangles of the body. The embalming fluid is prepared
from methyl alcohol and a small amount of formalin as the fixatives, ethylene glycol as a
preservative, and liquefied phenol as a mould preventive. Coloring of the blood vessels is also
useful in their identification. Other matters relevant to embalming problems are also discussed.
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Chapter 3
Research Design and methodology
This chapter aims to show the approach and the process of how this research has been
done. Specially including the research design, sources of data, sampling method, data
instrumentation, data gathering procedure, data analysis and lastly, limitations of the study.
Introduction
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This Chapter contains our research design and methodology defining what is Qualitative
research and what is phenomenology research. It will also show our sources of data, who will
be our participants, where we will execute the research and what will be our sampling method.
In this Chapter, the researchers will conduct a series of steps to gather the data they need.
Research Design
A Qualitative Research is employed in this study as the researchers aims to know further
opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or
research design. Phenomenology is a qualitative research method that is used to describe how
aside biases and preconceived assumptions about human experiences, feelings, and responses
to a particular situation. It allows the researcher to delve into the perceptions, perspectives,
understandings, and feelings of those people who have actually experienced or lived the
research is typically conducted through the use of in-depth interviews of small samples of
make generalizations regarding what it is like to experience a certain phenomenon from the
perspective of those that have lived the experience (Grand Canyon University). This research is
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classified as a phenomenology. The researchers aims to capture said experiences of the
participants. This research conducts a series of interview questions to determine the situations
and experiences they have gone through. It is mostly focused on people who have dealt with
problems and struggles that may set an example for many of us. Phenomenology also covers
how these past experiences defined them, it questions if it developed a kind of trauma or if it
Sources of Data
Participants
Possible participants are selected Embalmers with at least 7-10 years of experience
working at Metro Manila. The respondent of this research consists of three persons with
an unequal ratio; ages 18 to 50 years old. The selected participants of this study is
Settings
The research will be conducted around Metro Manila for the convenience of researchers
since it is near where they live. The researchers have decided to conduct their study in
the following places due to its accessibility, the researchers also assumed that the
Sampling Method
The researchers were randomly selected and composed of male, the age 18-40 years
old. Citizen of the Philippines and currently living around Metro Manila. The researchers will use
quota sampling and the respondents should also have work and are willing to participate to this
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research. Quota sampling is a non-probability sampling technique wherein the assembled
sample has the same proportions of individuals as the entire population with respect to known
Data Instrumentation
The researchers need participants from Metro Manila. The researchers needs to find a
specific selected funeral home with an embalmers with 5-10 years of experience. Long time of
experiences is needed for the participants to avoid the research to be broad and linear.
Furthermore, this study doesn’t select any standard of lifestyle of the selected participants. The
study only aims to know and connect their experiences to their physical and mental health. The
participants needs to have the capacity to have a clear mind and thoughts to answer the
As, the study requires funeral homes the researchers need to find at least 2-3 funeral
homes for the study. The funeral place needs to be in ideal place for the researchers for travel.
Data Analysis
The following data obtained were analyzed and evaluated correctly through the process of
cycle to have the right meaning on the statements of the interviewed person in the fourth
chapter. This research study on the relevant experiences of embalmers q thematic content
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analysis given by the participants.The researchers read the transcribed interviews, from the
audio recorded the interview, the interviewer get hold the participants and their
backgrounds.The researcher will analyze the statement of the participants ; the records were
divided into segments and classified to the topic to be easily understand and presented. The
Limitations
The purpose of the study is to provide information about experiences and profession of
an embalmers. Our aims is to know the feelings and emotions of their work. This study focus to
Persons with this work are not capable of sustaining their attentions and those who are currently
This study would be limited on the data given by the respondents and would be concerned on
determining the subject of this research. Subsequent to the collection of information from the
respondents such as name (optional) , gender and age the researchers will then evaluate.
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Chapter 4
This chapter presents the findings from the interviews conducted and observation of the
experiences of embalmers in selected funeral homes. The data gathered will be explained in
themes that are reliable to establish stability between the research questions and the supposed
answers.
experiences of embalmers by examining: (1) factors that made them chose this job, is it
because of: (a) amount of salary; (b) family influence; ( c) passion; and lastly, (2) coping
strategies.
The first participant is ‘kuya Jun’, an embalmer at Funeraria Cruz at 2620 Severino
Reyes St. Sta. Cruz Manila. He was working as a part-timer at the said funeral home. He was
Second participant is Dante Del Rosario, 35 years old, an embalmer at Rosario Funeral
Last participant is ‘Kuya Ryan” from Five Angels Memorial Service at BLK 1, L15, SHV
Quirino Highway Brgy. Pasong Putik Nova, Quezon City. He’s working as an embalmer for 8
years.
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Kuya Jun 34 1
Kuya Ryan 25 8
Tokhang System
During the execution of oplan tokhang in the Philippines, there has a lot of
continuous death. Most of the dead bodies proceeds to the funeral homes. Many of the dead
bodies aren’t claimed by their family. According to the participants, they’ll still wait at least 1-6
months before they bury the bodies. Due to these reasons, funeral homes and embalmers are
the one responsible for those bodies. The funeral homes buried and embalm those bodies using
their business money. That’s why, during oplan tokhang, many funeral homes has lost most of
One of the participants mentioned about one of the methods of how they get their
clients. The participant said that they have an agent inside the hospital and the agent will do the
job of convincing the family of the deceased to take the dead body to their Funeral home.
Embalming process
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All of the participants that the researchers had interviewed has no particular
proper training. The participants are just influenced by either their family or friend. None of the
participants the researchers had interviewed has an Embalming license. The participants stated
their embalming processes, the process that the participants are using is Arterial Embalming
Theme 2: How do these experiences reflect the lives of the job of a mortician in
All of the participants are currently living in the specific funeral home that their also
working. Kuya Jun, Mr. Dante Delos Reyes and Kuya Ryan are all living at their workplace, they
eat and sleep at their workplace. The main reason why they live at their workplace because they
need to be available all the time and it’ll be easier to call them if another dead body has arrive to
be embalm. The participants are also budgeting their money due to the low salary that they’re
receive.
Most of the participants mentioned about the oplan tokhang, when the
researchers asked if when is the time where there are more dead people. The
participants said that during oplan tokhang, they were also troubled, because most of
bodies weren't claimed by their families. It has cost the funeral homes lots of money,
due to reasons that the funeral homes are the one responsible for embalming and
A STUDY ON THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCES OF EMBALMERS IN SELECTED FUNERAL
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burying those dead bodies. Burying those dead bodies that aren't claimed are quite
costly for the funeral homes and also time consuming because they also need to
process the papers for the cemetery. About the experiences of the embalmers that the
researchers had interviewed, most of them were scared on their very first experience.
Scared of the responsibility and also scared of working with dead bodies. The other two
participants that were interviewed said that they only chose embalming as a job
because of financial reasons. On the other hand, participant 3 said that he was an
they need to be available all the time. If a dead body brought at the funeral home, they
need to embalm it as soon as possible, because if not, it might cause them trouble.
Strong effects of chemicals are also one of the challenges of being an embalmer. Too
much exposure with formaldehyde can irritate eyes and nose. And, formaldehyde
CHAPTER 5
This chapter presents the summary of findings, the conclusion made and the recommendation
offered.
Summary
The age of the respondents has been divided into three brackets, and among the three,
the first one which is the bracket of 25-35 years old has the most number of respondents. The
distribution of respondents has been unequal because the participants who belonged to the
subsequent age brackets were slightly hard to convince to participate in the study. When it
comes to the respondents’ gender, they are all male. Still, there has been an unequal
distribution of respondents for each gender and this is due to their availability. The same reason
The three respondents stated that their salary is enough to sustain their daily needs. But
there are different ways on how to get their salary in the first respondent paid per head or per
session because he is only working as a part time. While the two respondent paid monthly. The
two participants influences by their relatives to pursue this kind profession because some of
their relatives work as an embalmers. When it comes of passion the respondent wants this job
for the sake of the needs of their family and they enjoy and expert on how they do their job
them says that he is scared in the dark and dead bodies but he cope to his profession and the
other one in first he is scared but he choose to become brave to face all the dead bodies and
thinking his family needs. This shows that some embalmers aren’t fit for the job at first.
Conclusions
Highlights
prepareho
home, the embalmer is responsible for embalming and preparing the bodies of the deceased for
researchers were able to gather relevant information regarding the relevant experience of
It was found out that almost all of the respondents have their great experience to pursue
their profession to become one of the best embalmers here in metro manila which led the
researchers to the conclusion that despite the seemingly stressful situation, the Respondents
still manage to have their mental alertness, stress and emotion in normal level. One of the
possible reasons that the respondents’ wants to stay to their job and not affected to their daily
lives because they want their profession and this helped them to face their fears as well as their
Recommendations
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Don’t be afraid to take risk. This job may be risky but it can be satisfying if you face your
fears
26
Based on the findings and conclusion presented, the following recommendations are suggested:
The researchers recommend to the future researchers that if they will be doing this kind of study
with the similar aim, the number of respondents is important and should be taken into
consideration. The researchers may add more respondents to sustain a good and more reliable
result. The participants can either be any gender as long as they meet the qualifications in the
inclusion criteria of the study. Always look for the availability of the participants upon doing any
research.
Researchers also suggest that this study be conducted in other locale, future
researchers can look for other places where they can do the study to determine if the result of
this study will be the same when it conducted in a different area so as to serve as a comparison.
Appendix A
Interview Questions:
I.
1. Why did you choose this profession?
4. H
ow was your first experience as an embalmer?
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KUYA JUN
Researcher: bakit nyo po napili yung profession na yun o yung trabaho na yun (embalming)?
Participant: nagustuhan na rin ho, kasi nga nagustuhan na nga rin namin magtrabaho para
R: then yung about po dun sa salary nyo naman po,bale, ano po ba yun, monthly or yung kada
sa namamatay ganun?
R: nasa ano po, sa isang buwan po nasa magkano po yung salary nyo, o kung gano karami
P: mga siguro,10 thou ay mga, sampo (10) ganun kinse (15)
P: ahh nakakagaan naman ng buhay, nakakatulong naman sa pamilya, kahit konti.
R: pwede nyo po ba ikwento yung ano, yung araw araw na experience po, sa pag ttrabaho
habang nag eembalsa, kahit yung ano lang po, kwento lang kung pano, ganun, anong
P: sa una syempre mahirap, eh nung una nakakatakot din, nakakasuka ganun, pero minsan
P: hmhmm
P: wala pa naman, pabalik balik lang po kasi kami sir, minsan kasi na oout din kami dito.
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R: nung pinasok nyo po ba yung trabaho na yun, may nagbago po ba sa buhay nyo o
R: yung sa ano, kalusugan nyo naman po, nakaapekto po ba yun? Yung mga tinuturok nyo po
R: yung ano po, yung pagtulog nyo po, normal po ba sya o naaapektuhan dahil dun sa pag
eembalma nyo, kasi po minsan diba kasagsagan ng gabi o kaya tulog kayo, may dadating na
P: obligado po gamutin kasi, masisira ho yung patay di mo pwedeng pabayaan magagalit ang
pamilya.
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R: then yung sa may ano, sapat na po ba yung kinikta nyong sweldo, okay naman po ba?
R: ano ano po yung mga benepisyong nakukuha nyo sa pag eembalma? Mga tulad ng sa sss
P: hmm e wala pa e kasi nga na aalis din kami, na oout din kami kaya minsan di kami
makagawa ng ss.
R: may nakukuha din po ba kayong mga insurance na mga.. Ay Tama, insurance, wala rin po?
P: wala po, na oout nga kami sir e, di naman maintain yun trabaho namin sir, sige sige, tas
R: kamusta po yung ano nyo, yung karanasan, yung pinaka experience po talaga, buong
experience sa pag eembalma ng tao, simula nung natuto kayo, pakiramdam nyo hanggang sa
ngayon na parang sanay na po kayo, ano po yung pinaka di nyo malilimutan na experience?
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P: nung una mahirap
R: de kung parang ano po, may isa po kayong inembalma na di nyo makakalimutan, parang,
P: kasi dati kasi meron kaming ano e, ttraining lang kami, tetesting lang kami kung kaya naming
R: a so, bale sa iba po ipapasa, kung mas mahirap po yung patay na yun na ieemabalma?
P: salamat.
Kuya Ryan
Researcher: bakit nyo po pinili yung profession o yung trabaho na yun (embalming)?
Participant: ahh yun talaga walang... Nag influence sakin na... anuhin yung trabahong to kasi
nga ilag din ako nung bata ako sa mga patay so dahil sa… ang father ko morguero sa isang
ospital, sa edad na 16 inano nya na ko, ahh inimpluwensya nya na ko humawak ng patay, dun
nagsimula, sa pag aano ng… tulong tulong lang sakanaya mag ano ng patay, pag may
kinukuha sa loob ng ospital, yun lang. So hindi talaga ako nun empleyado nun so dahil
hanggang sa na unti unti na kong… lumakas na yung loob ko sa pakikisalamuha sa patay. Yun
dun na ko nasasanay.
R: so yung una po ano, takot ka po… yung pag embalsa po, yung pinaka una nyo pong pag
eembalsa.
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P: takot talaga sa una lalo, nung una kasing experience nun ano e, hindi pa kami, hindi pa
talaga ko rekta dito sa punerarya, kumbaga, nag start na ko, ang experience ko sa isang ospital
na hawak namin. So dahil kami yung representative nung mortuary kami yung kumukuha ng
mga bodies sa mga ward and then kami din yung nag rerelease, yun. Dun nagsimula.
R: ok po, then yung about po sa monthly salary, o yung kabuwanang ano po sweldo
P: sa salary, depende eh. Depende sa embalsamador e may embalmer na nag eembalsamo,
na walang lisensya, yun yung sumasahod ng ano e, ten (10) to twenty (20) thousand o yung
iba, na walang lisensya, tumatanggap ng per head, depende sa ano yan e, sa pinapasukan nila.
P: per head o monthly, meron namang nag bibigay ng monthly, may per head.
R: then kung sakaling per head po, nasa magkano po yung ano po kada ulo, sa minimum.
P: sa per head, sa minimum. Pag natural death, yung namatay sa sakit. 500 per head, so kapag
ka, kasi yung natural death ano lang yan e, kumbaga tatanggalin lang dyan yung dugo.
P: yun,yun, yung ilalagay. Tapos naman dun naman sa autopsy yun yung as in bibiyakin na
talaga yung part ng katawan ng tao, yung matrabaho, binabayaran sakanya dun nasa php
R: 1,500
P: oo, kasi matrabaho gawin yun, kumpara sa natural death kasi magbibiyak pa ng ano ng tao,
ilalabas mo yung internal organs nya and then ibabalik mo, tatahiin ulit. Yun, mas matrabaho
R: then yung dun sa monthly salary naman, pano naman po yung way nila ng pagbabayad ng
mga embalmers.
P: sa monthly, may 15 e, minsan 15-30 binibigay yung salary nila. So sakin naman ang ano, is
10.
P: oo.
P: oo naman, masaya din e, kasi yung experience na alisin mo yung kinatatakutan mo pag
dating sa patay, yun yung bagay na ano e, pagka para sakin yung takot na tinatago ko nun, nun
yung sa mga sinasabing mga multo multo ganun kapag nakasalamuha mo mismo yung patay,
R: *laughs*
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P: kasi minsan, sa morgue nga lang, sa morgue ka lang andami mong kasamang patay.
Kumbaga kung gusto mong libangin, yun bukod sa tahimik, kung gusto mong libangin yung
sarili mo kanta kanta ka, walang babasag sa trip mo, ganun yan.
R: *laughs*
P: meron, may time na ganun na kailangan mong bulungan na “oh eto ganyan ah, makisama
ka, oras na inilagay ka sa ataul, makisama ka, wag kang magpabigat” yun yung mga puntong
P: oo
R: then, dun kuya sa ano, pano nakakaapekto yung, pag eembalsa o yung trabaho mo sa araw
dun nya yung kinukuha yung pang susuporta sa pamilya nya so, wala. Gusto nya pa nga yung
na araw araw na may ini embalsamo kasi yun yung ano nya e, trabaho nya.
R: yung dun po sa ano, pwede nyo po bang i kwento yung pang araw araw na routine nyo, yung
parang paggising sa umaga o bago matulog, papasok, kakain, ano po yung daily routine nyo o
P: ahh. Ano yung lang, pagka may patay na eembalsamuhin dun ka lang kikilos, pag kakain,
yan pag may dumating na naman obligado ka na namang kumilos, emabalsamuhin sya para
atleast maiuwi agad. Kasi dito pagka dumating ang isang patay, obligado, gamutin agad e, kasi
meron sa punto na ipinagmamaya pa, may dumating sunod sunod hanggang sa matambakan
R: then dun po sa ano may nagbago po ba sa buhay nyo simula nung pinasok nyo yung
P: hmm, meron eh. Yung ano yun e, basta parang nagustuhan ko lang sya na, ewan ko ba
R: ok po, nakakaapekto po yung yung trabaho nyo ano, sa kalusugan nyo?
P: meron din, may mga point na di mo rin maiwasan yung ma expose ka sa sakit ng iba, pero
andun naman yung punto na, syempre alam mo na kung ano yung sakit na nakakahawa alam
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na yung sakit na di nakakahawa. So yun, kaya iba parin yung may maintenance ka rin na
vitamins, pangontra dun sa sakit. Pero kapag ka me dumarating naman sa punto na, ang
ikinamatay ng isang tao yung malala na, sabihin nating virus. Yun naman ini infrom agad kami
nung ospital, na pinadadalhan kami ng reseta. Eto, inumin nyo yan, kasi ganyan yung sakit
nyan. So yun.
R: ahh
P: virus sya na nakukuha sa sakit, yun. Ay, nakukuha sa hangin, yun, kapag nalanghap ng tao,
pwedeng isang araw lang o ano, patay na sya. Sumunod, sabihin nating, mas malala rin ang
HIV pero ang HIV di nakakahawa, mahahawa ka lang dun kapag ka nakipag sex ka sa isang
may HIV. So di direkta na nakakahawa yun sa hangin, o sa hawak mo sa may taong may HIV
ganun.
R: then po kuya yung po sa ano, yung pagtulog nyo po, sa trabaho, pagtulog nyo po,
nakakaapekto po ba yun?
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P: wala naman e, para ka lang rin, matutulog ka rito, normal lang e, para ka lang nasa bahay
mo e, yun lang wala kang nararamdaman, na iba na, kesa sa paniniwala ng iba na kapag
P: ayy dun? Minsan dumarating sa punto na minsan di maiwasan.kahit, ang pagdating kasi ng
P: hmhmm. Minsan sa loob ng isang araw mag eembalsamo ka ng sampong bangkay, so
kailangan tapusin mo lahat yun, hangga’t walang dumadating na panibago, yun. Dumadating sa
R: then dun po sa sweldo, sapat po ba yung sinusweldo nyo? na nasusustentuhan naman yung
pamilya nyo?
P: sakin naman, kahit papano sapat din, kasi bukod din naman sa monthly, may inaasahan din
akong ano e, yung per head, yun ganun na, kahit papano nakakatulong.
R: dun kuya sa ano, benepisyo nyo po, may nakukuha po ba kayo?
R: meron po ba kayong ano, uhmm nakukuha na insurance? Dito?o Ano po yun?
P: kapag ano ka palang, kumbaga di ka pa regular, wala pang ano e, sa mga, kasi samin, sa
maliliit na funeral service bihira lang ang may insurance e. Yung may mga ganun, yung may
P: di po, wala. Pero sa malalaki, sa St. Peter, Arlington, yan meron yan.
R: pano po kuya kung nagka, nahawa po kayo ng sakit dito, ano yun, sagot nyo yung sarili
nyong gamot?
P: so yung, pinanghahawakan, o yun, maaari, pinanghahawakan namin yung PhilHealth na ano
nila.
R: then,
P: pero andun parin yung kahit papano, di ka rin pababayaan ng amo mo, may suporta parin
R: then kuya dun po, kamusta po yung, ano yung unang una nyong patay na inembalsa, ano po
yung feeling, ano po yung talagang ginawa nyo nung that time.
P: na?
R: yung experience nyo po nung nag embalsa talaga kayo ng kayo nalang, yung unang una
nyong pakiramdam
P: hmm andun yung ano, yung pag aalala mo na, kasi dahil sa first time, pag aalala mo na
sumablay ka, na ganun, na parang parang practice ka palang e. Ngayon, andun din yung kaba,
P: okay po
R: ahh ano ahh mga ilang oras po yung pag nag eembalsamo?
P: ang processing ng, embalming process, umaabot ng 6-5 hrs. Depende sa ano ng katawan ng
tao, meron naman kasing bangkay na dinadala na yung malamig na malamig na sya, as in naka
freezer na ayun.
e, resedential area.
R: may dumating na po ba kuya sa ano, punto na, diba may nilalagay kayong mga na chemical
sa katawan, yung formalin, may dumating na po ba sa punto na may naka naamoy po kayo
P: oo naman, di mo maiiwasan yun, kasi ang formalin kahit malayo ka, sabihin nating andun ka
P: malakas, wala namang epekto, pero ang epek, walang… epekto sa mismong kalusugan pero
yung… yun nga lang masakit sa ilong tapos sa mata, kapag di ka sanay.
P: matapang sya, kapag ka sininghot mo ng sininghot yung formalin ano sya, yung baga
P: yan mam, depende naman yan sa ano ng, edad ng patay, kung ang namatay, nasa ahh nasa
P: oo, ahh di, depende sa edad nya, kung sabihin kasi meron tayong senior citizen na tinatawag
R: hmm
P: kapag ang namatay senior citizen na, edad 60, yun may less 20% discount. Yan pag non
R: then kuya yung sa ano, diba inaano rin yan sa ano, sinusukat din yung patay para maadjust,
P: hindi, depende, meron, ay may standard, ang standard hanggang 200 lang, 200 centimeter.
So, depende kasi yan e kapag ka, kagaya neto, ang sukat neto, eh ano, 190, one hundred
ninety centimeter. Ngayon, kapag ang patay, sinukatan mo, ang sukat nya ay 180 centimeter,
P: kapag ang sukat naman nya 190 centimeter, ilalagay mo siya sa 200 na sukat ng kabaong.
P: hanggang ano lang e, simula sya sa ganyan (pointing at a baby’s coffin) 60 centimeter
R: then, kung sakali po talagang malaki yung namatay, matangkad po, pasadya na po?
P: mag aadditional lang sila dun sa, sa size, kada sukat, oo. Dun lang sila mag aano aano,
ngayon yun nga lang, mag huhugol (antay) sila ng tatlong araw, apat na araw bago maiuwi
sakanila.
R: then kuya ano, pinakamaganda talaga, karaniwan na kinukuha ng mga namamatayan na
lang, simple lang sya 16 half body lang ang kita, yan
P; ano na sya, metal casket na sya, yung mamahalin na talaga, di gaya nung ganyan, kahoy
kasi yan e.
R: so, parang nangyari kuya, di sya yung tulad nung iba na pati yung kahoy, kung makikita mo
minsan, yung salamin nalang yung nakapatong dun kapag bungo na. Yun hindi? Dun lang sya
sa loob?
P: ay hindi kasi ang salamin kasi nun, hindi sya yung nababasag e, fiber glass yan. So kahit
abutin ng 15 years, nakalibing yung bangkay, pag hinukay mo yan, buo pa yung kabaong pero
R: dun kuya sa ano, diba ilang oras yung pag eembalsa? 6-8?
P: 6-5 hrs ganun, depende may inaabot na 10, may inaabot na 8, depende sa ano ng bangkay,
kase may bangkay na manas. Yun mas mahirap yun kasi puro tubig yun e
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R: ahh 6-5 hrs… ano po yung mas mahirap embalsamahin na katawan?
P: hindi, yung manas sya, kumbaga yung diba kasi minsan, may mga taong may sakit na
pansin nyo,
P: tumataba, manas yun, yun yung tawag dun, yun yung puro tubig yung katawan nila, yun
yung mahirap gamutin kasi puro tubig yun e, hindi, hindi porket pagkainembalsa mo yan
tinanggal mo yung dugo, totally matatanggal lahat ng tubig andun parin yung ano.
R: then yung dun po sa ano, sa may formalin, diba po kasi merong binuburol lagpas na ng isang
linggo?
P: yun naman, sa kada service ng punerarya, may mga maximum na mga 7 days yan, ahh
preservation, isang linggo lang sya. Ngayon kapag ang gusto ng namatayan, i extend pa ng
P: bubuksan yung kabaong, dun na rin tuturukan, oo mas ano kase yun kesa, kesa ibabalik mo
sa punerarya mas malaking trabaho yun, so yun tuturukan lang, kakargahan lang sya ng purong
gamot, kasi ang pag eembalsamo kasi, pag enimbalsa ng patay, 5% ng formalin yan, 5% ng
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tubig. Pinaghahalo, hindi yung puro sya, kasi ang formalin, kapag nilagay mo ng puro yan,
maaaring masunog agad yung patay, yung bangkay, masunog agad yung balat nya, as in,
R: so then inaano po pala talaga, pinapatay nya pa yung buhay, kung sakaling meron pang
P: Tyaka maiwasan din yung ano.. yung pag ka..yung ano, yung maagnas, yung mangamoy.
R: Dun kuya sa may ano, ilang oras po ba bago ano.. Bago galawin yung pat.. yung namatay?,
P: Depende sa request ng ano eh.. Namatayan. Pag sinabi ng.. Lalo na yung di nila tanggap na
tanggap yung pagkamatay sabihin samin niyan wag niyo munang galawin baka mamaya
mabuhay pa, pero sige ho igagalang natin yun ano nila.. gusto nila kasi nga customer.. sige
pinagbigyan namin, ngayon pagka sumabit na yung ilang oras na gusto nila saka ko siya
tatawagan kung pwede na ba, pag sinabi nang pwede na, pwede na. May dumarating din
naman sa punto.. sakin sa 8 years ko dito dumarating sa point na pumupunta samin yung nam..
Pamilya.. pinapakuha yung.. tatay nila.. buhay pa. Pinapakuha samin sa ospital buhay pa,
ngayon pag sinabi samin.. buhay pa ehh, kasi dati na ako.. di pa ako embalmer, dati akong may
kasamahang embalmer, may pinakuha sakanya na.. May pinakuha sakanila na.. hindi nila alam
as in hindi sinabi sakanila nung kamaganak, mga anak na buhay pa, ngayon yung mga kasama
pa namin noon, kinuha siya, hanggang sa naipasok na sa morgue, ngayon yung embalsamador
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eembalsamuhin na niya.. nung naki.. nung binuksan na niya yung kumot.. nakita niya humihinga
pa.. So ang sabi nung embalsamador noon na kasama namin.. Ibalik niyo yan dun, ibalik niyo
yan sa..
R: Ospital?
P: di sa ano niya, sa.. pamilya niya, iuwi niyo, di ko gagamutin yan kasi para na kong pumatay
P: Ano naman siya.. parang ganun.. coma.. comatose na siya pero parang ang bumubuhay
nalang sakanya yung mga aparatos. So siyempre may mga.. ano ng pamilya niya, sa ayaw na
P: Mercy killing.. Kaya pinabalik niya yun.. ayun lumipas.. sumap.. after 3 months dun lang
R: Kuya may naencounter na kayo.. Di naman sa ano.. Parang nabuhay, ganun?
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P: Wala.
P: Wala. Meron naman ano yung.. Minsan may maeencounter ka lang yung.. Akala ko hindi
normal, yung ano.. Yung minsan gumagalaw pa yung daliri niya sa paa, Minsan nakaencounter
na ako ng ganun ilang beses na.. Kamamatay lang.. nung makikita mo gumagalaw yung daliri
niya.. siyempre kami nataranta kami noon.. Nagpatawag kami ulit ng doctor kasi baka buhay.
Ngayon ang ano saamin natural lang pala yun sa ba.. kababago palang mamatay.. Kasi.. ano
eh.. parang last na pulso niya ba. Yun.. yun yung ang ano.. ayun lang. Yung mga.. yung mga
P: Oo kahit ako hindi ako naniniwala, kahit ako sa.. sa loob ng 8 years ko dito hindi ko pa
naexperience yun eh. Kahit na.. Minsan sinubukan ko na sa sarili ko na.. May kasama akong
nasa.. Sampung patay.. Sampung patay sila as in patungpatong sa isang.. Sa morgue.. dun
lang.. dun lang ako kung baga parang.. Na minsan na.. Naano ko yung sarili ko gusto ko lang
tumambay dun, yung gusto mo lang tanggalin yung takot sa sarili mo, yun ginawa ko yun.
Nandun ako hanggang.. Simula 10 PM hanggang 3 AM, so andun lang, as in patay yung ilaw,
sa.. talagang sa gusto ko lang labanan yung takot dun ko na.. sa loob ng ilang oras ko roon na
patay yung ilaw, sa loob ng.. Morgue kasama ko yung mga patay.. Dun ko napagtanto na di
P: Wala.
P: Mas dapat pang katakutan yung buhay, kasi bangkay.. yung patay wala na yan eh, katawang
lupa nalang yan. Mga sinasabi nilang.. eembals.. depende sa experience nila eh.. may ganun..
R: Kuya dun sa may ano.. pano.. Pano niyo ginagawa yung.. Pag yung namatay sabog utak
ganun?
P: Depende yan.. Depende naman yun kapag nakita ng embalsamador na buo pa yung
mismong.. yung mga balat niya.. sa ulo.. kahit sabihin nating durog-durog na yung bungo niya
sa loob basta yung.. ano niya sa ulo yung mga balat niya buo pa may konting galos lang, kaya
pang rimedyohan yun, pero yung as in durog na durog na pati yung ulo, wala na yun.
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R: Pano yung kuya may ginagamit kayong chemical para ma form ulit yun..
R: Ibababad.
P: Formalin lang, tapos.. Kapag ka.. as in di na kayang buoin.. issealed na siya kung baga
naka-sealed na siya sa loob issealed pa siya sa labas, tapos yung kuro niya.. Nakaganyan
P: Na?
P: Hindi.
P: Naka ano pa rin yan sa.. funerarya eh so.. hindi.. hindi nila maano yung…
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P: Ngayon kung mangangahas naman silang buksan hindi rin naman nila agad agad na
makikita yun kasi sa loob palang selyado na siya. Makita man nila yun hindi na nila makikita yun
P: Meron kasi kailangan may kasama ka ring maglalagay ng bangkay sa ataul eh, hindi naman
yung, pwede pagka ang patay malaking tao kailangan nasa lima kayo o anim maglalagay niyan,
sa laki.
P: HIndi eh-
A STUDY ON THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCES OF EMBALMERS IN SELECTED FUNERAL
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R: Di ba kasi matigas?
P: Hmmm hindi naman pag matigas hindi na, iba sa leeg ganun sa balikad yan yan nilalagay.
R: Dun po kuya may naano po ba kayo, may nadala na dito nang bangkay na mga siguro apat
P: Meron, meron namang, yun naman kapag ka ganun bago siya matagapuan ilang araw na
tatlong araw
P: Bloated na yun naagnas na yun ibig sabihin bloated na siya lobo, lumulobo na siya tapos
R: Grabe pala
P: Yun naman ano na yun, maano pa naman ng formalin yun kaya lang maeembalsa mo pa
yun, kaya lang hindi siya pwedeng tumagal ng isang linggo kagaya ng nakakasanayan na isang
linggo buburol yung patay hindi na, sabihin nating burol na ng two days, three days libing na
A STUDY ON THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCES OF EMBALMERS IN SELECTED FUNERAL
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kasi andun na yung kahit kargado na siya ng gamot nababakbak na ng kusa yung balat niya
nala- natatanggal na hanggang sa magtanggal nang magtanggal yung balat kakatas na yun
P: Yun, yun lalo na yung ang pinakamalala mas malala yung may nalunod ilang araw bago
natagpuan sabihin nating tatlong araw apat na araw bago natagpuan dun talaga lobong-lobo na
halos hindi mo na mahahawakan yung bangkay na yun pagka kinuha mo kasi ultimo hawakan
R: Naagnas.
R: Nasanay lang.
R: Kuya yung ano, ano bang pagkakaiba nung mga morge na nung matataas talaga tulad ng
mga arlington ganun, ano yung pagkakaiba nila na serbisyo na ano na sakto lang na mga ano,
morgeng...
A STUDY ON THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCES OF EMBALMERS IN SELECTED FUNERAL
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P: Sa ganitong?
R: Yes.
P: funenaria kasi ang sabihin natin ang arlington parang ano yan eh yung
P : high class na funenaria yung mismong may pag mamatay na kahit na artista yung diba?
R: Yes.
P: karamihan artista yun talaga maipagmamalaki mo yung serbisyo mo tsaka dyan kasi ano eh
R: Balita ko nga po kada kada ano po tatlong araw mga nasa mga kalahating milyon daw po
R: Opo.
P: kasi meron kasi silang mga ang tawag nila sa ganung casket ‘imported’ kung baga hindi na
P: HIndi na tsaka mas makapal na klase na bakal yun mas makapal pa sa dito *pointed the
metal frame of the shelf holding the casket* yan nga yung imported casket na ano galing ibang
bansa amerika yung iba nun yung handle merong tanso gawa sa tanso gawa sa silver gawa sa
ginto, so ayun kaya ganun kamahal kaya kung minsan yung iba pag nagpapalibing hindi sa
R: Kuya ano bat di niyo naisipang mag St. Peter ganun yung mga oro na malalaki na arlington
ganyan
P: Yung mga ganyan yung mga ganun kasi yung mga hinahanap nila yung talgang sa
embalmer kailangan professional eh yun yung hanap nila eh tsaka andami nilang requirements
kung baga hindi biro hindi biro yung pagpasok sa sa mga ganyan maraming requirements yung
hahanapin sayo.
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R: Kailangan ulit mag-aral dun sa ano..
P: Meron meron meron meron tayong ano eh yung Philippine Embalming Association alam ko
R: Ilang taon yun kuya bago ka maging professional pwede kang pumamsok sa mga St. Peter
na qualified ka na?
P: Eto mga nasa two years ganun kasi depende kasi iba lang naming kakilala nakakuha lang
may mga kakilala kami kumuha lang ng nagkaroon na ng lisensya walang actual experience.
pero nagkalisensya ginamit lang ganun lang *lifting his hand making a money sign* tsaka lang
sila nagkaganun.
R: Dun kuya sa may ano… yung mga patay na hind ikinukuha ng pamilya?
P: Tataningan yun ahhh isang buwan bago ipalibing kasi hindi pwedeng ipalibing agad agad
talaga ng patay na walang pamilya…dumating sa point na yung patay puro walang pamilya
walang nag claim ang laking lugi nun so yun obligadong ipalibing yun kesa masilip ka ng ano
health…health department ng ano city hall natatawag sainyo matatanggalan ka pa nga nong
lisensya mas maganda ipalibing mo na lang kesa yung naka sasakripisyo yung negosyo ganon
ginagawa namin.
P: Sa?
P: Sa cremation pag gusto nung pamilya ipa cremate meron din naman kami may accridated
kami sa isang cremation so yun sasabihin lang nila samin kung kelan at anong oras gusto
nilang cremation itatawag namin don ischedule in then kami na mag hahatid don.
P: Wala kaming cremation na talaga pero meron kaming contact kasi and pagpapatayo kasi ng
P: Pwede rin naming hindi na depende sa namatayan...may point din na dumadating samin na
P: Pag eembalsamo mura lang pwede naming gaya nung ano eh cremation mas mahal talaga
P: Depende ron depende sa pag kecramatan mo may mga cremation nakagaya ng St. peter,
Loyola umaabot ng twenty five to thirty thousand so samin may mga mabababa ring
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crematorium so kami nag hahanap din kami ng mas mabababang crematorioum paramaioffer
R: Pagganon kuya may inofferkayong crematorium dun sapinag offeran niyo binibigyan kayo ng
hati?
R: Ah binibigyan.
P: Shempre hindi rin mawawala yan shempre kung ano kung kikita sila syempre kikitarin yung
tumawag ganonyun.
R: Then kuya dun sa kinecremate pano yung kabaong anoyun rent kasidiba may rental na.
P: May rent meron naming babayaran nila kahit pwede naming bayaran nilang buo sakanila na
yung ataul.
P: Meron kasing ano ahh papa cremation pwede naming bayaran nilang buo yung ataul iiwanna
naming sa crematorium aalis na kami yon sila na bahala sa casket kung gusto nila idonate sa
mga walang wala o sa mga barangay sa mga kapitan dun nila iniiwayan.
R: Kuya magkano yung minimum nung rental ng kabaong na kada araw ba o tatlong araw
ganon?
P: Depende sa klase eh halimbawa ito original ano nito price nito kapag kahindi cremation yung
libing nasa thirty thirty thousand siya ngayon kapag cremation tatanungin naming yung kliyente
kung gusto nilang rent kahit hindi na pag sinabi nilang hindi na babayaran nilang buo thirty
R: Ah kalahatipo.
P: Kinse..
ulit.
P: Depende sa kanila kung ilang araw nila gusto iburol kung gusto nilang pitong araw walang
problema.
P: Ganon parin…yun iba lang yung sa cremation iba lang yung bayad dun bukod nay un.
R: Tas kuya kelan niyo masasabing ano kunwari kumbaga sa benta kelan yung matumal kung
kelanyung…
P: May buwan na tuloy tuloy and pasok pero may buwan nawala eh may buwan ay may buwan
na zero ka may buwan natuloy tuloypag ka gaya samin January as in zero kami ngayon
ngayong march February March ngayonang sunod sunod so yun may buwan talagang wala
yung iba depende kasi sa ano yan eh pamamalakad nung may ari sa negosyo niya eh kapag
maganda yung market mo sa mga nasasakupan mo tuloy tuloy yung pasok sayo halos yung iba
araw araw and kinukuha nila sa isang araw walo sampu yung iba..kapag kinwenta nila yun sa
isang buwan minsan nakukuha nila isang daan one hundred fifty na bangkay sa isang buwan.
R: Dun kuya may tumitimbre dun sa ospital na ano, may mga tao na nag-aalok?
P: Meron. Merong mag-aalok dun. Ngayon, yun yung tinatawag na kagaya sa’min, kung gusto
naming makakuha kami sa ospital halimbawa diyan sa commonwealth hospital gusto naming
makakuha diyan, magmamarket ka. Syempre hindi ka naman… yung iba ang style kasi ng
punirarya, hindi kayo magmamarket na ano lang eh, iaano mo dahil syempre kahit papano may
pampalubag loob dun sa mismong inaanuhan mo para ibi-ibabato nila sa’yo. Ngayon, ang laban
sa mga ganon na may tinatawag, ahente. Ano ‘yon, ten percent, depende sa serbisyo nung
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namatay, halimbawa may itinawag sila sa’min, ang serbisyo, nasa 30,000 so ten percent sa
kanila, may 3,000 sila. Depende ‘yon kung magaling yung nag-market, maganda yung pasok ng
ano.
R: Yung kuya yung dun sa mga baby, paano ‘yon? Yung process niyo ng embalming sa baby?
P: Sa baby, mas mahirap gamutin ang bata eh ang sanggol eh kesa dun sa matatanda eh. May
baby na simula pagkalabas, ilang buwan na siya, yun mahirap gamutin ‘yon. Pero meron
naming pagkalabas patay na, ‘yon wala nang drain drain ng dugo ‘yon wala nang ano ano yung
P: Tsaka maliit yung ugat ng mga ganun eh lalo na yung baby. Mas kawawa talaga tiyaka yung
burol lang nun na nasa 3-4 days. Hindi niyo na pwedeng paabutin ‘yon ng isang linggo.
P: Pwede rin, yun nga lang, magbabayad sila. ‘Yon pwede rin. Pero, kung seven days hindi na
pwede pang lumagpas ng seven, ng ilang araw pa. ‘Pag nasaksakan na siya ng after four days,
hindi na siya pwedeng anuhin, saksakan ulit kasi mas anon a eh, malalamog na yung katawan
R: Hindi niyo po ba naisipan na mag-aral ng.. kumuha ng kurso ng embalsamador tapos
mag-abroad?
P: Mahirap ‘yon eh, kasi sa ‘pag nag-apply ka sa ibang bansa hindi biro yung hahanapin sa’yo
eh. Pero meron namang ano kapag nag-ano ka na sa tesda nag-aral ka na kasi ang tesda may
embalming din. ‘Pag nag-aral ka ron nakatapos ka sa kanila, maaring matanggap ka kaagad sa
P: Hindi na. Mas masarap na kasing magsilbi na lang dito sa sarili mong ano eh. Kesa sa iba.
Kasi kadalasan ng mas malalang sakit sa ibang bansa eh. ‘Yon ang mahirap, 'yan na yung
sa'kin
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Appendix B
Gallery
A STUDY ON THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCES OF EMBALMERS IN SELECTED FUNERAL
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Photo with the first participant Embalmer, Kuya Jun from Funeraria Cruz at Sta. Cruz Manila.
From left to right: researcher Vincent, Kuya Jun, Researchers Miguel, Yzabella, Jia and Mart
Funeraria Cruz
A STUDY ON THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCES OF EMBALMERS IN SELECTED FUNERAL
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Photo with the second Participant, Dante Delos Reyes from Rosario Funeral Services Caloocan
City. From left to right: Participant Dante and researcher Angel.
Photo with the Third Participant, Kuya Ryan from Five Angels Memorial Services at Novaliches
Quezon City. From left to right: Researchers Miguel and Yzabella, Participant Ryan,
Researchers Jia and Vincent.