Why We Use a Body Lift to Place the Deceased in the Casket? - Just Give Me 2 Minutes

[@kathybowen708]

We had no equipment like that in the early 70's . I usually lifted under the arms and the funeral director took the legs and we gently lifted , put the body down and adjusted to our liking . He was a kind man and taught me to always be gentle , careful and respectful to the deceased . I will never forget him . Your good friend Vinny in good old Fla.

[@csanchez8365]

No hoyer lift? The manually operated kind.

[@kimdevlin832]

Hats off to your Daughter for helping you demonstrate in this video.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you :)

[@travelinben1966]

These devices were designed to prevent injury.I can’t imagine why anyone would choose not to use them and risk blowing their back out.It’s called working smart.

[@KaritheMortician]

agreed

[@markcollins2666]

It's no different than an engine crane, a godsend for mechanics and morticians both. At least, we mechanics had shade trees for hoisting back in the day, but morticians tend to work behind closed doors.

[@benwillis124]

These little 2 minute videos are perfect, allowing someone who might otherwise be afraid to take in the ideas a little at a time. Thank you for what you do, really love your videos and the care and respect you give to the deceased shines through.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!

[@tonywilliams8426]

You learn Funeral Directing one step at a time eh? I wanted to be a gravedigger when I was seven...now I am 63 and glad I did not go down that route. big LOL!

[@normasaldivar1882]

What a good little helper she is so adorable! 😍

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@MrsznewyawkRN]

Deadweight no pun intended 🤷🏽‍♀️ - coming from a RN I’ll always use my hoyer first!

[@katherinecorbett7580]

I've seen my mom and sister quit places without lifts bc they're not going to endanger themselves.

[@RikkiSpanish]

Hoyer lifts are a Godsend. My dad bought one just for the hospice staff that would come to his house several times a week to help with caring for my mom. We had gotten the hang of doing things without a lft, so we didn't use it, but we wanted to make things as easy on hospice staff as possible.

[@rosannadana2922]

The days before Hoyers..

[@KaritheMortician]

yes!

[@R36057]

You are SO right!

[@Kaz.Williams]

Makes perfect sense. What a gorgeous little helper you have there Kari! Your daughter is the spit of her mama ❤️

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@jeffwarren6906]

Also , I wouldn't want to accidentally drop the deceased , not respectful and i wouldn't want to destroy the work i just spent all day on ..

[@KaritheMortician]

So true!

[@bashasline]

A@aa

[@vacuzman]

I work for a funeral home and we don't have a body lift.. Sometimes we will use 2-3 men to place the body in the casket but a body lift would be a welcome addition to our prep room..

[@yogabirds]

Great explanation and beautiful little girl!

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you!

[@nancyboyd6377]

I use a hoist in my job a lot to transfer service users from bed to chair, wheelchair's etc. That is with the living and that is still quite heavy work so I can understand how it would be with a deceased. Hope you are well Kari and have a lovely day. Lot's of love from Nancy in Scotland x

[@KaritheMortician]

nice

[@arlynpage7491]

I really enjoy your channel Kari- you are so soft spoken, compassionate and respectful when speaking about those entrusted to your care- I’ve forwarded your vids to friends and they agree that you’re very knowledgeable and kind🙂 I watch other channels like yours but always come back to you when I want a soft voice, gentle approach and well earned knowledge- Thank You for what you do 💫 P.S. Your Daughter is an absolute doll and so nice to help you demonstrate - Sweeter than candy, that young lady 🍭🍫🍬❗️

[@KaritheMortician]

you are welcome! Thank you!

[@francisjohnson665]

As a nurse I know about deadweight, yes , save your back.👍👍

[@KaritheMortician]

definitely

[@trix8678]

Yes! Many years ago I worked as a rehab tech in a nursing home and we always used a hoyer lift to take non weight bearing or stroke pts, ect from their bed to PT. It is so damaging to ones back to do it otherwise. Good to know this is utilized in your business as well.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ginggur17]

A very good way of showing the problem. You both made me smile. 👍👍❤️

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks!

[@chrisj197438]

Awwwwe she’s too cute Kari!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@seamusward8515]

Thank you Kari, you always have very useful information and you are doing a brilliant job. And you show so much respect for the deceased.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you

[@joycehoward1027]

She is beautiful Kari! And those eyes 👀. She’s gonna be a heartbreaker 💔

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

My old boss up in Colby K.S always told me: "If you love your back, don't become a funeral director." He also taught me ways to load bodies onto cots that took the majority of the weight off you while loading into the van, and was patient enough to teach me how to properly dress abody too. I miss working there big time.

[@joncampos5551]

Yes, there really is such a thing as “dead weight” and it’s very difficult to maneuver.

[@angelag.johnson1985]

Just Subscribed. Great info and the way You explain it. Cant wait to view all your videos. Love your Beautiful little Helper. Tell her,Great Job!!. Thanks for Your Service You Provide.

[@KaritheMortician]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@OneKindWord]

You are adorable! I can’t believe you used your giggling daughter to show us. Thanks to both of you.

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww thanks

[@nick63837]

Partly true!! It is mainly because of atmospheric pressure!! While we are alive out blood circulation cancels out atmospheric pressure.When we die this no longer occurs so we become heavier!

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

As a retired healthcare provider (RN), I totally understand the need for mechanical help. People have only one back, and when that’s gone, that’s it!

[@KaritheMortician]

So true!!

[@juliehoffman4568]

You're very creative in how you explain things! Thank you 😊

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you!

[@ashleyestelleics]

And we have to hold the head up so that the mouth closures don’t get ruined

[@angelbasham6631]

I'm confused about that I thought the jaws were wired shut

[@ashleyestelleics]

angel parsley yes so if you don’t support the head, the wires/sutures can snap if the head falls back

[@KaritheMortician]

yes definitely

[@jwmarlowe4456]

Agreed.. and your daughter is so so adorable!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you!

[@karenhamilton956able]

What an adorable lil assistant 😍

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you :)

[@sarahnansteel4291]

That was a great idea of how to show the difference it looked like your little helper had fun too.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes she did :)

[@garysansone2785]

Hi Kari😄 love your assistant😄 whatever easiest for you and it allows you to casket them gently and with dignity....thanks

[@KaritheMortician]

so true

[@paulkoskinen8895]

"Mom, how come she got to play the body and not me? Can I have a turn next video?"

[@KaritheMortician]

oh yeah they both want to be in videos

[@kennethcollard3123]

thank you for answering questions i have had that no one else will answer

[@KaritheMortician]

Always!

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

That little one had the time of her life..."DO IT AGAIN, MOMMY!" Honey, NO. My back...😂

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@marao3584]

What a fabulous assistant 😍

[@KaritheMortician]

She is pretty great!

[@MichelleJ1822]

Curious, what do your children think about what you do for a living? Are they creeped out by it or because you’re in it it makes it less creepy?

[@KaritheMortician]

they love it!

[@lauragadille3384]

I don't understand in nursing homea why the bosses/home health aides, refuse to use a lift to get patients in and out of bed, showers, etc. I hurt my back and now I can't work because of it. It makes perfect sense to use a lift to put the person in the casket.

[@KaritheMortician]

POssibly because they don't want to move them from room to room or have the space

[@tonywilliams8426]

....and you could undo all the prep work I suppose eh? Kari? God Bless you, dear Lady Of Michigan...and stay SAFE!....TJ the DJ.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you! You too!

[@mswitter1]

Your assistant is such a great help ❤

[@RikkiSpanish]

LOL @ "some people like a broken back". 😂 There's always one person out there who is a glutton for punishment. Your daughter is adorable! It's a shame they grow up so fast. Mine is about to turn 7, and still can't wrap my mind around how fast the years have flown by.

[@KaritheMortician]

yes there is!

[@guardiansanimalrescuestate7289]

Okay at first I was like well isn’t this common sense?? And then I watched the video and get it. Was wonderful to also see your daughter.

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks

[@tiffanyalberti2029]

My elderly and sickly father was in hospice at home and he got out of bed one morning and went to the bathroom and stood at the sink and was gazing into the mirror and I left him there for 10 seconds he seemed to be sure on his feet and he seemed to be okay and he even spoke to me before I left the room but when I left the room only 10 to 20 seconds went by when I heard a thud and found him lying on the floor in the bathroom. He seemed to be unconscious and me and a family member tried to carry him to his bed. He was in a fetal position on the ground and we tried to pick him up with all our might but couldn't. EMS came and told us he was dead. That is when I found out dead bodies are heavier than living bodies.

[@KaritheMortician]

Oh goodness I am so sorry

[@coatofmanycolors8397]

I love your 2 min videos. I love the others too. I just recently found your channel, so if you have answered this, I apologize. Does your profession help you or hurt or neither when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one? Very personal question, so you don't have to answer.

[@KaritheMortician]

It delays my grief responses

[@Shedshananigans]

My father, the assistants and I would only use the lift with a body that was extremely heavy. Otherwise, 3 of us could lift the average-size body into the casket quickly with no issues.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you.

[@sharonadams4424]

That makes so much sense.God knows I've blown my back out lifting things in the house....is she your daughter ...??very pretty

[@KaritheMortician]

yes she is :) thanks

[@factorscrinium]

Where I work, such devices are unknown! Normally there are 3 or 4 of us and with a combination of technique and gravity, it never seems to be too difficult.

[@KaritheMortician]

sorry for your backs!

[@tangelachapman7868]

Thank you Queen and Princess!

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww :)

[@boobleeboo9947]

Great visual

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks!

[@sameoldsonganddance]

Right! It would be like curling 120 weights

[@KaritheMortician]

so difficult!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Beautiful little lady !

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@bruceliggett8036]

Omg honey!! You didn’t have to use your daughter to demonstrate that, lol, poor girl! Awesome video!!

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks!

[@Singersavannah0]

I mean why lift the person your self when you have such a magical device that will do it for you. The lift sure makes casketing a whole lot easier! Good video Kari

[@KaritheMortician]

Exactly!

[@Christian_Girl120]

It's safer too. Just like someone who is alive in a Hoyer lift, it can prevent injury. With a deceased person it's dead weight (no pun intended)! Therefore you could get hurt without the lift. Good idea for all involved.

[@michaeldickens7493]

Super cute Kari!

[@KaritheMortician]

THank you!

[@lonestarhog7407]

Kari, in case your lift breaks, may I suggest you learn to do the Ranger Roll to Fireman Carry? 😁

[@KaritheMortician]

I would not want to fireman carry a deceased...purge

[@jeanaesamuel47]

Awesome video💞💞💞

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@828enigma6]

That's about a dumb question. Why break your back picking up a body, embalmed or otherwise, when you have a lift available. As well as risking dropping them. I know they won't complain, but if you damage an exposed part of the body, all the prep and makeup will have to be redone. Plus, if they spring a leak somewhere, it could be a problem. Or had some sort of communicable disease.

[@KaritheMortician]

Many just use physical strength and not the lift

[@csanchez8365]

What a cute helper. 😊

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks

[@sooweeq123]

Sweet little girl, Kari.

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@Nan-59]

This is the first video I've seen your daughter in! How fun! 🤩

[@KaritheMortician]

Yay! Thank you!

[@williamlambert2865]

Work smarter, not harder....I agree

[@KaritheMortician]

exactly

[@militarymom6690]

I never thought of it that way. My thinking was that an embalmed body would somehow be more lightweight and easier to pick up. Another great video. Thanks, Kari!

[@KaritheMortician]

you are welcome

[@spiritmediumclaytonsilva649]

Cutest kid ever lol! Great video! Thanks Kari!

[@ohiostatebuckeyes4951]

Do u position the hand before u lift the body up or after u lay them in the casket

[@KaritheMortician]

After they are laid in the casket

[@MikeMercury]

Cutely professional Bonjour Kari

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks!

[@evelynfoster2706]

I would use a lift also. Save the back as best as you can. Thank you for sharing your videos and info with us, Kari. Your dgtr is so pretty. She favors you a lot 💖 Tell her I said thank yo, for helping mommie demonstrate today. 💖🦋 💞

[@KaritheMortician]

It is good to have!

[@rochelleb973]

I always used a hoyer lift when working in the nursing home

[@KaritheMortician]

nice

[@kristisamuelson2328]

You’re the best!

[@KaritheMortician]

aww thanks!

[@kendrahwhyte9960]

Kari Lovely Lady But what do you do when you're placing the deceased in that kind of casket that displays only the upper half of the body?

[@funeralangel8262]

Casket lids are two sections ( top & bottom ) - both open for body placement.

[@KaritheMortician]

both halves open

[@stephaniehowe0973]

Even a smaller body you have to stretch your arms out risking your back & another akward forward to put down again. I have hurt my back in the past. You are never the same after. 💙💙💙to your adorable body

[@KaritheMortician]

Well said!

[@Richard-ig6dq]

Very interesting Kari. You have cute little assistant ..

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@lotstodo]

Does embalming fluid make the body heavier than their blood does?

[@KaritheMortician]

no

[@deborahyoung9713]

Why would professional funeral person try to lift a dead person? That just sounds nuts. Thank you for this video...I never asked but I am glad to know.

[@KaritheMortician]

It does but they do!

[@annikabjornson998]

I enjoyed seeing you demonstrate with your little mortician intern!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@michellehenry6278]

I know few people with back issues. I agree save you’re back.

[@KaritheMortician]

Definitely!

[@tlrogers6083]

If, God forbid, the deceased is dropped to the floor...do dead bodies bruise? Would the family necessarily know a casketing accident took place?

[@KaritheMortician]

they don't bruise because the blood is not flowing

[@ronaldacarter8079]

Do people ask to borrow it to remove/install car engines?

[@KaritheMortician]

No

[@loriadams7724]

It’s literally dead weight. I wonder how much weight does the embalming fluid add? Not sure how much actually goes into a deceased body?

[@Hairmetallurgist]

It's generally two to three gallons of an embalming fluid/water/coinjection fluid mix per deceased. This is an average, of course; some require much more, some less. Know, as well, as we inject fluid, blood is also being removed. I'm not saying it's necessarily a wash, weight-wise, but embalming doesn't add significant weight in the form of fluid retention.

[@loriadams7724]

Hairmetallurgist very interesting! Thank you so much for answering my question. I hope you have a great day.

[@bluespruce679]

@@Hairmetallurgist And I've always assumed that a deceased person, because the heart no longer pumps blood throughout the body, everything, every function stops... Heart stops, breathing stops, blood pools in lower extremities, coagulates, and becomes like sludge until it dries out....so, with that line of thinking, I assumed that embalming just filled in where the blood used to be...not how you said it. But, what do I know...not much!

[@Hairmetallurgist]

@@bluespruce679 These things all happen, but some more quickly than others: the heart stops, of course, once somatic death is complete. Blood pooling takes a bit longer (this is called livor mortis). Blood does begin to coagulate in the vessels after a time, and can become difficult to flush out (we embalmers have special co-injection fluids to help move clots out if the vessels). We try to get the deceased back to the funeral home preperation room as quickly as possible to avoid these incidences. Blood doesn't really "dry up" in the body. It's a tissue, and, like many tissues, when not oxygenated by respiration, it breaks down and becomes necrotic. In fact, blood is one of the first body tissues to become laden with bacteria, therefore, one of the first initiators of decomposition.

[@bluespruce679]

@@Hairmetallurgist Thank you for responding to my uninformed remarks! I had no idea you're an embalmist....if you don't mind my next question, I'd like to know, what procedure are you planning for your own body when you depart this earth? I pray you are saved, my friend...and we can carry on this conversation in Heaven with Christ the Lord! Should be most interesting and rather amusing as well! Thanks in advance....I'm planning to get my bod cremated...and my cremains put next to my mother's cremains in her old cedar box.... should be fine. God be with you, and Shalom! 💖🕊️💖

[@freddiefred3964]

I thought that once a person was dead rigamortis sets in but leaves and then they become less stiff like a living person???

[@KaritheMortician]

About 2 hours in, rigor sets in and then leaves after about 48

[@KSL1972LLC]

Hmmm... because hernias are a pain in the groin, and slipped discs are a such a pain.

[@KaritheMortician]

Protect yourself

[@johnathanscherger9314]

Do you have to have a license to remove a body?

[@KaritheMortician]

Not in Michigan

[@johnathanscherger9314]

What about Ohio?

[@melissanewcomb6352]

I really appreciate your videos, I'm just a weird person I guess, how does one get into what you do, like how do I become a mortician or however you want to say it I don't know how you call yourself no offense to that but you are awesome I have watched a lot of yours I watch the crematorium and the tags that go on them this is all awesome It's nice to know, I just hope that my body is respected as well as you do explaining these videos.

[@KaritheMortician]

If you have an interest visit a funeral home and chat with them about the work they do

[@rethablair6902]

I would be curious how long they have been in use in the industry🤔

[@KaritheMortician]

I will see if I can get an answer

[@jamierupert1008]

I love the "props" your using, lol.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks!

[@ghostfields]

I lowkey thought you were reaching down for a cadaver and was surprised by a living child

[@KaritheMortician]

lol

[@captainkeyboard1007]

It is better to lift the deceased with a body lift instead of with arms because some bodies are heavier than others. A funeral director needs not to be muscular to handle a corpse. Also, a body lift is safer to handle. It is bad enough that caskets are heavy. A funeral director does not need to exert superfluous energy on the job. By the way, your little helper did a fine job.

[@KaritheMortician]

So true!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@KaritheMortician You are welcome. The funeral director is my friend.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@KaritheMortician You are welcome.

[@emmaeisnaugle5316]

Even if they ain't dead n the person is parylized to just alil exstenst it's hard to help them my mother was partially parylized n helping her was hard lifting her

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@onlydebra4580]

Is there a distinct odor of the body when viewing casket?I feel I can always smell something..

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes there definitely are different smells

[@maryc7830]

Good morning! 🌞

[@KaritheMortician]

Have a blessed day!

[@Decgyrrl]

Was the deceased lifted by hand, in the decades b4 technology in the funeral industry took hold?

[@joncampos5551]

She’s adorbs

[@annek1226]

It is simply common sense!

[@KaritheMortician]

Indeed

[@martyweeks7594]

Would rigormortis be a factor?

[@KaritheMortician]

Not really

[@charleslong8634]

Remember this some funerals homes don't dress them they cut there shirt and pants and tuck there cloths around them and you can't tell the diffrent if it's done right

[@9patriko]

You are smart

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks

[@brenantube5802]

Would a guy be able to pick up a deceased pregnant woman by himself without struggling?

[@KaritheMortician]

He could

[@royrice8597]

If they are stiff, one grabs the head and another grabs the feet. “1,2,3 lift and plop.”

[@KaritheMortician]

No plopping...gentle

[@michaeldickens7493]

Why do funeral directors use a lift because it breaks your back lol kari your great and your kids are so cute!

[@KaritheMortician]

lol :)

[@patriciarivas2638]

Save your back! That’s why using a lift should be used on the living or decedent! Nothing worse than having a back injury!

[@michaelm5601]

Kari, I assume this is your daughter.... She is a beautiful child.... I hope she got regular rate for appearing on this blog..Kidding!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Lol yes thank you!

[@jonnaosborne1832]

Your assistant is adorable.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks