Prep Quiz
Trial by Fire
Suits and Services
Religious Traditions
Passing Pot Pourri
200
The instruments shown here, in adult and infant size, are the primary tools for cavity aspiration. They are often connected to tubes which can either provide suction or water flow to clear the instruments, this is referred to as hydro-aspiration.
What are Trocars?
200
After remains have been processed to ash, they are bagged, tagged, and placed in a white cardboard box, or occasionally, a small black plastic container, known as this, not to be confused with the permanent variety.
What is a temporary urn?
200
Much of what can and cannot be said, sold, and promised by funeral directors is regulated by this government agency, who governs the ways in which goods and services are sold and marketed.
What is the Federal Trade Commission?
200
A pall is a white, cross-embroidered cloth which covers the casket after it is sprinkled with holy water, representing baptismal robes. It is, of course the namesake for pallbearers, and can be found in Episcopalian services, as well as this denomination's funeral masses.
What is Catholicism?
200
While it is tradition to place whichever hand looks best on top when crossed over the abdomen, SCI policy typically goes left over right, to showcase this specific item.
What is a wedding ring?
400
This particular vessel is known as the go-to for arterial embalming, and is usually the first- and if you're lucky- the only artery raised. It is chosen for its location closest to the arch of the aorta. High necklines only please.
What is the right carotid?
400
Before a person can be cremated- assuming they were not autopsied- their death certificate has to be completed by their most recent physician, and then sent off to this certifying official, another doctor, for approval of the cause of death.
Who is the Medical Examiner?
400
While you have likely attended a traditional funeral at some point in your life, casket and all, more and more people these days are opting for this kind of service, which is notable for the fact that there is no body present.
What is a memorial service?
400
Adherents to this faith are often buried on their right side, unembalmed, and in special cemeteries which all face the Kaaba.
What is Islam?
400
These occassional late-night trips are the bane of every funeral director's sleep schedule, as they can come from wherever, whenever, from morgues to house calls, from noon to 2 A.M. Don't forget your cot!
What are removals?
600
Some methods for closing a decedent's mouth include use of a needle injector, which utilizes barbs attached to wires that sit inside the gum lines and pull the mouth together, or a more time consuming method, which uses a needle and waxed ligature, and is often thought of as being more secure for looping around this bone.
What is the mandible?
600
This two-part traditionally stone tool can be found in your kitchen, but also in the crematory where it is used to process the skeletal remains of infants post-cremation.
What is a mortar and pestle?
600
This term refers to the person leading any type of funeral service. They may be clergy, a lay friend or family member, or even the funeral director themselves.
What is a celebrant?
600
Tahara is a sacred cleansing ritual for the dead, undertaken by groups of specially trained faithful, known as the chevra kadisha. Bodies are washed and prayed over before being placed in plain shrouds known as tachrichim, for members of this faith community.
What is Judaism?
600
One of the many points of entry used by embalmers to achieve adequate distribution this artery is located on the lower portion of the body, between the sartorius muscle, adductor longus, and inguinal ligament, making up the triangle named for the artery in question. I hope you studied up on your anatomy!
What is the femoral artery?
800
This is the name of the cloth that more traditional embalmers use to preserve a decedent's dignity by covering their genitals. Most often, it is a piece of cotton covering their groin area.
What is a modesty cloth?
800
These two Abrahamic religions are notable for their strict prohibition against both embalming and cremation for all adherents to the faiths.
What are Islam and Judaism?
800
In Jewish tradition it's the "meal of condolence" and to the Chinese, it's a "consolation feast". While today it may be referred to as catering or light refreshments, or maybe even just lunch, this is the traditional name for a post-funeral meal.
What is a repast?
800
Cremation is essential to this religion's funeral tradition, ideally taking place on the Ganges river within 24 hours after death. Decedents are ritually marked with sandalwood or turmeric, depending on gender, and they are adorned with a flower garland around the neck.
What is Hinduism?
800
Once a body has been prepared, either minimally or via embalming, they still have to be cosmetized and undergo these last two steps before they're ready for their big day.
What are dressing and casketing?
1000
Autopsied bodies, or "posts" as we call them, come from the medical examiner's office with their abdominal Y-incision loosely sutured. Inside, you can find all their organs located in a red biohazard bag, which we refer to as this.
What is a viscera bag?
1000
These incinerators are the actual furnaces which are used to cremate individuals. They consist of multiple chambers and burners, reaching optimal temperatures of anywhere from 1400 to 1800 degrees Farenheit. Also the term for a sharp or angry reply to a remark.
What is a retort?
1000
Pulling from ancient and modern funerary traditions around the world, Crestone, Colorado is currently the only location in the entire United States to allow this form of disposition. Is it hot in here or is it just me?
What is open pyre cremation?
1000
Tibetan sky burial is one form of disposition for adherents to this Eastern religion. Involving a corpse being left atop a tall mountain, in locations known as charnel grounds, to be preyed upon by carnivorous birds, among other animals during decomposition.
What is Buddhism?
1000
This Egyptian God, with the head of a jackal, is known as the guardian of the dead and also regarded as the inventor of embalming, according to legend.
Who is Anubis?