Our Ethos
The care and respect that Lamb & Hayward show your loved one, begins from the time they are transferred into our care. Lamb and Hayward staff members are fully trained in conducting the transfer in a dignified and caring manner, whether the place of death is in a private home, hospital, or more public place.
This standard of care continues throughout the entire process of mortuary preparations and funeral arrangements. We have a compassionate team of embalmers who are dedicated exclusively to the mortuary care of your loved one. At all times your loved one is handled as if family members are present: with the greatest dignity, care, and respect.
We believe that viewing your loved one after they have passed away is an incredibly important part of the grieving process; and we place a great deal of significance on the presentation and grooming of your loved one. However, if you do decide not to have a viewing, you can rest assured that the same standard will be met regardless.
The end result of mortuary care is that the person who has died is presented in a way that will create the best possible ‘final memory picture’ for their loved ones. This may, or may not, include embalming.
Types of Mortuary Care
The level of mortuary care required for your loved one depends on a variety of factors. These include, timeframe until the funeral/final disposition of the deceased; post-mortem changes that have occurred, religious beliefs, as well as the final wishes of the person who has passed away.
Embalming, in general, gives us much greater control over post-mortem changes that occur following death. Each person is unique, and the speed at which these changes can take place vary significantly. In order to maintain the dignity of your loved one, as well as achieve the best possible ‘final memory picture’, we highly recommend embalming. Embalming not only slows down the decomposition process, it can also clear discolourations that commonly occur following death, as well as control the development of any unpleasant odours.
However, there are no legal or mandatory requirements in New Zealand for embalming. Our mortuary team work closely with our funeral team to give guidance on the appropriate level of care required for you loved one. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, and our staff will provide you with all of the necessary information to aid you in this decision. Depending on the level of mortuary care chosen, the ability to view your loved one may be impacted; and the hermetic sealing of the casket may be required.
No Embalming
This is the most basic type of mortuary care. Your loved one has their features set, is washed, dressed, and presented in their casket. This level of mortuary care gives us the least amount of control. Your loved one may or may not be viewable based on the extent of post-mortem changes that have occurred. Unpleasant odours may need to be disguised, and discolourations cosmetised. However, if there is to be only a limited number of viewings, and the condition of the deceased person is stable, then viewing without embalming may be entirely appropriate.
‘Partial’ Embalming
‘Partial’ embalming involves the treatment of the thoracic and abdominal cavities of the deceased person. Following death, the immune system is no longer regulating the micro-organisms found within the human body, and as such, rapid multiplication of these organisms occurs. This can lead to the formation of gas, the break down off tissues, and the generation of unpleasant odours and fluids. In life the thoracic and abdominal cavities contain the highest microbial concentrations, and treating these areas with a strong preservative fluid can slow these changes down. It gives us some level of control, but only in the short term; and is dependent on the condition of the person prior to treatment. There may still be unpleasant odours, and discolouration that need to be disguised following a ‘partial embalm’. However, as above, depending on the timeframe and stability of the deceased’s condition; ‘partial embalming’ may be completely sufficient.
‘Full’ Embalming
This refers to arterial embalming, followed by the treatment of the abdominal and thoracic cavities. Essentially, the cardiovascular system, which in life is responsible for delivering blood to your tissues and organs, is co-opted to instead deliver a preservative (arterial) fluid to these same areas. By replacing blood with preservative fluid; the natural processes of decomposition are significantly slowed. Replacing blood within the cardiovascular system also aids in clearing any post-mortem discolouration that has occurred following death. Arterial embalming gives us the greatest level of control, and affords your loved one the greatest level of dignity – avoiding the formation of unpleasant smelling gases and liquids, as well as the breaking down of tissues until the time of their final disposition (cremation or burial). Arterial embalming can be likened to a surgical or medical procedure, and is performed by highly trained staff, who are committed to ensuring that dignity, respect, and care are displayed at all times throughout the process. The thoracic and abdominal cavities are then treated in the same way as for a ‘partial’ embalm.
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