The Open Casket Looks Boring Once You Learn About Extreme Embalming

by N/A, 10 years ago | 2 min read

"Extreme embalming"–the practice of posing a deceased person, complete with props, clothing, etc.–has been popping up in New Orleans and Puerto Rico. You may think that it's scary, exploitative, weird or all three, but so far it's really helped families to deal with their grief and to immortalize the deceased in a way they'd want to be remembered. What do you think?

creepy scary weird Non-Premium

To celebrate the lives of their loved ones, people are opting for an unusual alternative to the open casket.

This woman, for instance (who is deceased) was memorialized by being sat upright at a table with a can of Busch and a menthol smoke between her fingers. Her children thought it would be a fitting way to remember their loving mother.

The trend is being informally referred to as "extreme embalming." So far, the trend has mostly popped up in New Orleans and Puerto Rico.

This is Christopher Rivera Amaro, a super featherweight boxer from Puerto Rico. He was murdered at only 23 years of age. To help memorialize him, the family had him stood upright at his wake in full pre-fight regalia.

"Extreme embalming" may seem disrespectful to the dead–or just plain creepy–at first, but when you think about it, it's actually kind of sweet.

Remembering the deceased as they were in life can be wonderfully helpful to the family and cushion the blow of loss. This man, for instance, was a taxi driver in life, so he was immortalized that way in death.

This man really loved his motorcycle.

The embalming practice is obviously mostly to serve the family and the dead, but it also allows a mortician to show creative skill and ability that would otherwise go unused.

This woman was a famous New Orleans socialite during her life.

And she was immortalized that way–with a boa, champagne, and long cigarette filter.

Would you go for "extreme embalming" for yourself or a family member?

I would, but I think I'd prefer to be sitting. Standing is just a little too wax figure-like. But that's just me.