What does a mortician basically do?

Answer 1

Generally speaking a Mortician prepares a human body for disposal after death: I did not say internment as that is not always the case.

If the body was damaged from some trauma, or an autopsy, the mortician will repair the body to a presentable state (if it is intended to be viewed). This can and often does include embalming (preservation chemicals) as well as many operations that are required, but not stated publicly out of respect for the people who will view the body (In all honesty you do not want to know what is done to your grandmother in order for you to view her body after she has died).

Also certain religious requests are accommodated, as best as they can be. For example:

• At least one Jewish belief requires a holy person to stay with the body until it is buried; this however conflicts (at least in some ways) with this person in the preparation room (some state laws require them to be licensed as the preparation room is highly restricted), and the body must be stored in a freezer (that would kill the person to stay in the same room).
• Some religions require that "no preparation" be done (as normally is done) including refrigeration of the body; this means the body has to be disposed of (under law) very quickly. It is also very shocking to see a deceased person in this state, as the human body degrades quickly after death.
• Other things like this are special incense that must be burned, holes drilled into the casket, special (holy) objects to be placed in the casket, the body to be washed with special waters, wrapped in special cloth, etc.

Answer 2

The mortician prepares the dead body for buriel, first by embalming the body and then using cosmetic techniques to make the person look as much like she would were she alive. Embalming involves cleaning the body, sticking one tube in to drain out all the blood and body fluids, another to pump in embalming fluid. The organs are also sucked out, parts of the body stuffed with cotton, the jaw is wired shut to hold the mouth closed, they put little sticky cups over the eyeball that the inside of the eyelid will stick to, so the eyelids will stay closed. Then they make the body look good. Men get shaved, nails trimmed, hair washed. Women get their hair styled to look like a picture they are given of the women in life. They apply special makeup, dress the corpses in clothes selected by family member, which are actually cut down in the back so they are easier to get on the corpse. Then into the casket, out to be viewed then turned over to the cemetery for burial. Morticians aren't usually involved in the actual cremation as it requires special equipment that is not cost effective for most mortuaries.

Answer 3

The organs stay in the body.