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Archiver > LAORLEAN > 2001-10 > 1004316517


From: "Cate Schweitzer-Toepfer" <>
Subject: [LAORLEAN-L] Mortuary Science department at Delgado
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2001 18:48:37 -0600


My information on what happens to remains prior to subsequent burials is on par with what others have reported. I know when making prearrangements for my mother, the funeral director told us that certain hard wood caskets would take a long time, if ever, to decay in a tomb above the ground. So if a spot was expected to be used soon, (3-5 years), these would not be a good choice. He told us metallic caskets never do decay - and if the gasket around the lid were sealed air tight, the body would not decay either. He said these should only be used if the gravesite were to be sealed with only one interrment. I have been told, that metallic handles, hinges and the like, are sold regularly to scrape metal dealers. And on occasion, entire caskets have been "recycled" unbeknownst to the "occupant" or his or her family. Mind you, this was told to me by a co-worker who had family in the business. Then there was a story on television in New Orleans several months back about cask!
ets being observed in or near a dumpster, I believe at the Carrollton cemetery. It caused quite an outcry (especially questioning why the caskets were disposed of whole and seemingly new) about what was really going on. City cemetery administrators explained away the observations by stating that the coffins had not deteriorated when the graves were needed to be used for other burials. Just like the living New Orleans, our cities of the dead have intrigue and politics in their operation too.

On to the mystery of pertrification. In the Catholic church this is one of the facts in death used in considering cannonization of someone to the sainthood (along with life works and miracles). But I think this group is more interested in the science, rather than the spirituality of the event. So someone might want to contact the Mortuary Science/Studies department at Delgado Community College in New Orleans to do the research. The college's address and phone number: 615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119. Main phone 504-483-4114. (Since I'm leaning toward cremation now with burial in a Quaker Oats box, and know I'm no candidate for sainthood, I'll pass on this research to someone who has be affected by it. But seriously, I'd be curious to know the explanation if there is one.)

Cate ;-}

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