Everyone seems to want to know the inner workings of a funeral home in West Des Moines, IA, and we have some interesting tidbits you might enjoy. While many think the funeral home director is someone who has a fascination with death, you’d be wrong. They have a passion for life and helping the people left behind. Curious about the things they see daily? Keep reading our list below!

The Body Is Not Moving

Many myths surround the body and what it does after death. As such, you’ll see that many people wonder about hair and fingernails as well as other issues. You’ll find that the nails and hair do not grow after death. This is a completely false myth. In addition to this, the body does not sit up or do anything else when you’re deceased is brought to the home.

They Are Not Frozen

Another myth is that bodies are stored like frozen vegetables, and that’s not true either. The body will go through an embalming process, meaning they don’t need to be kept on ice. However, if you don’t decide to embalm, that changes the game as the body decomposes faster.

Embalming Isn’t Always Required

Embalming is only required when people are going to visit the body. This means that you have chosen to hold a viewing where people can touch the body. You don’t want disease or biohazards to occur, so the body is embalmed so you can be safe. This way, you get to see your loved one before they’re buried.

Mourners Used To Stop The Clocks

One tradition that is different from today is that the funeral mourners used to stop the clocks at a funeral or when someone passed away. They believed it would stop bad luck and symbolize the loved one’s passing. People would also cover mirrors or ensure that every portrait of the deceased was turned over.

We’re All Roommates

During the medieval period, churches had community coffins. These were used to transport people to the churchyard from home. For a minute, your body could lay where hundreds had before you. Let’s hope everyone was placed in the coffins after they were cleaned.

We Don’t Know Everything About The Past Yet

For almost a century or more, no one knew what ancient Britain used to do for their funerals. There were many theories over time, but the evidence was practically invisible. Human remains were in places like Yorkshire but couldn’t be found anywhere else. Talk about a mystery.

What Do You Think About Funerals?

Now that you’ve seen the trends of the past and what people used to do, what do you think about funerals? We’ve also shown some modern additions to showcase how things have changed in recent years. You can see that the embalming process is more involved, and we bet you’re relieved that the body doesn’t sit up like you thought, right? Instead, you can know the facts from fiction and be prepared when you have to plan your funeral and questions to ask the funeral home director in West Des Moines, IA.