Do funeral homes still put makeup on the bodies?

Question

A couple friends of mine are having a disagreement on the subject. One said they do not that the embalming fluid just gives them the color and the other said that they do put the makeup on. I think they still do. Please end this arguement someone!

Answer 1

They do put makeup on. It's not like fashion makeup, more like stage makeup. The faces would look totally gross without it.

Answer 2

Actually the embalming fluid can give the corps a little color some funeral homes add color to the fluid. They add makeup too. If you pick up the latest issue of Jane magazine there is an article on funeral homes and embalming. It tells pretty much everything (and more) than you would ever want to know. Hope this helped end the feud. :)

Answer 3

I worked in a funeral home for eight years and it depends on alot of things. The condition of the body, how well the body embalms, etc. But most of the time, there is makeup used on the body. I've seen many families come in to do the makeup on their loved one using the loved one's makeup or some use the funeral homes. I've even had to color someone's hair and put on artificial nails before. Embalming fluid does give some color but normally not enough.

Answer 4

yes funeral homes still use makeup on bodies. Embalming fluid does not bring out the color it only stops the odor and keeps the blood from going sour. The blood is taken out and the body is filled with embalming fluid.

Answer 5

Embalming fluid has nothing to do with the outer appearnce of a body. It simply keeps the internal organs from decomposing at a faster rate. It does not stop the decomposing process all together. They still use make-up on bodies to cover up the bluish tint that dead bodies have as well as cover any bruising that may be present. BTW, they also do things like sew the lips together, stuff cotten into the nose and ears and put in caps over the eyeballs to keep the eyelids from sinking in.

Answer 6

yes, they do use make up. In cases where there may have been an accident and facial damage occured but the family still wants an open casket, they will use make up and other things to restructure the face to make it look as much like the person and as little damaged as possible.
They will even go as far as applying fingernail polish, something that caused an uproar at my grandmothers funeral- the funeral home not only applied makeup but nail polish- my grandmother was never known to wear nail polish so family members got really upset and in the middle of the wake mase them remove it. My thought was, "as if she cares now" But it can be an issue.
Family members should consult with the funeral home as much as possible for an open casket funeral / wake - rarely would the funeral home be not tasteful and modest with the makeup, but if there is something that will upset the family, they should know about it and be prepared before hand so there are not scenes of that nature

Answer 7

Of course they do.

Dead body is pale, gray looking. The blood is drained from the body and is replaced by the embalming fluid, other wise the bodu will look dried out.

Have you ever touched a dead person? It really doesn't feel natural. Their skin feels hard.

So once the body is filled with the embalming fluid, they will put make up on it, give it a more natural look. The person will actually have a beige color (lots of foundation) with blush, lipstic, etc. They will brush the persons hair, sew the eyes shut.

Answer 8

Most official funeral homes do provide such service as a package.

But materials used steer very far away from the conventional make-up items used by the living, for the normal powders cannot stay on the dead's body. Clay and paint would be used most of the time to just "brighten" up the dead. In some cases, plasters in sculpturing classes are being used to patch up damaged corpses to lessen the deceased family's grieves.

But I think the best way to end your friends' argument is still to walk down to one and confront the "manager".

Have fun!

Answer 9

I've been to more wakes than a person could ever want in the past two years. Yes they do indeed still use makeup. And now they will even dye their hair. My father looked like a totally different person becuase they needed to dye his hair and put so much makeup on him.

The embalming fluid doesn't do anything except keep the body from rotting a bit longer, that's it. The rest is makeup. Hope that helped!!

Answer 10

Yes. When my grandmother died, Forest Lawn: Glendale gave us a choice to embalm or not. If we refused, she would have been left as is and wrapped in a shroud. But if we wanted her dressed and have make-up, then we had to embalm. Embalming will NOT last forever; only long enough for the deceased to be in good condition for the funeral and burial. The make up is applied to make the corpse appear more life-like, as if they were merely sleeping. The jaw is wired shut, and usually placed in a smile. Plastic eyecaps are placed underneath the closed eyelids. Once the removal of fluids are complete, the body is washed, dressed, the hair is styled and make-up is applied. The body is now ready to placed into the casket, and laid in it's final form. Ever heard of mortician's wax? They will reconstruct parts if the head/body has been in an accident. What do you think they did with the body of President John F. Kennedy?

Answer 11

When my Father was alive He never wore Makeup...When I went to pay my last respects at my Fathers Funeral... I went up to the Casket where my Father was in, & noticed that my Father was wearing Makeup that the Funeral Parlor had put on him, So the Answer to your question is - YES, they actually do put makeup on the Bodies of the dead... Maybe it's a requested thing that some Families may want to see -& other times some People don't want makeup for whatever reason/s. It must depend on the (Funeral Parlor) that one goes to, to find out !!! They did w/my Father at the Funeral Parlor He was at. Have a Nice Day !!! rumeoui ...