Mitford response #1

From Journal to Essay.

   As a nation that would rather describe death as "passing away" or "resting in peace", compared to being blunt and saying they are dead, the typical embalmer must have a vast customer list. However popular blissful ignorance when speaking of death may be, and however hard people may try to "shield" their youngster's eyes from the horrible clutches of death, death is death. A person is simply dead and they are not meant to look remotely alive, even zombies do not physically represent a human complexion.

   Of course the mortician is out to make money, people do anything for money. Not to mention it is a nice quiet job where one can be left to themselves in solitude to think about anything they wish. He or she feeds the hunger for ignorance by skillfully chiseling an appearance of life onto the deceased individual. For the family it is easier to see their family member in a peaceful state so they can be left with a fairy tale image of their loved one, trying to wipe away the memories of suffering and tears. No one has any desire to face the truth that the word dead brings about.
   There are costs to a society that hides everything under the sheets, if the dead are taken advantage of, there is no limit to what else is swept under the rug in order for the "ugly" not to be seen. A parent's drinking problem, a serious health problem, some individuals actually go out and pretend they have a job even when they have lost it. All out of shame, afraid to show weakness. Such a society that is built upon weakness cannot not advance rapidly if at all. People only grow stronger and advance through making mistakes and learning from them.
   It may seem insignificant but when the dirty laundry is aired the embalming process is truly a molestation of a human being. And even though the relatives may not be aware of what exactly is happening they are partaking in a ritual of ignorant selfishness. The phrase "don't judge a book by it's cover" goes both ways, not only may you pass up a good book with a bad cover, but just because it looks good doesn't mean it is.