Restorative Arts Lab Day 2 at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science 

This is another area on which I have so much respect for embalmers/morticians. One of my church members slid on the grain as they were unloading at the elevator. The driver didn't see him. Ran over and crushed his head. The family was able to have an open casket. Another time was a knife wounds but it was bad enough I would have called it butchered. They couldn't quite get part of the lip but they did repair the eye and throat injuries. I have no words to express how much I respect you and what you do.

The things you all have to see & do to help make our loved ones look nice is incredible & amazing! 👍❤️my mum was 77 & passed away from Lewybodies dementia. She was a very thin little lady in the end very drawn. Looked dead before she passed. So when she did pass & 3 weeks later we could go & see her in chapel of rest I was dreading seeing her. The nerves that built up inside me were awful but I had to see her. I braced myself for an horrific sight of a virtual skeleton. We left them with a photo. As soon as I saw her I gasped & cried with relief. She was pink & plump & looked like she was just asleep. She looked like her mum & I was so amazed I had to touch her as she looked so well. I sent a Thank you card & gift to the person who made her look so good. so Thank you so much for all your work & efforts❤️❤️❤️❤️

Nice to see these students, so hard at work. It honestly takes a special kind of person, to do this type of work. But as my mom used to say: ppl die everyday, so somebody has to do it. I'm surprised my mother didn't go into this line of work. She was fearless. I bet she would've made a good mortician.❤

I have respect for all these students . I think what they are doing is an art form. Good talent! And without you Kari , you're one smart cookie that explains everything so well! You are great at your trade and watching your videos has made me fear death less. There is the first chapter of life and the second chapter of death. I'm learning so much!

What an incredible service that you provide! God bless you! This is so important. The comfort to the family is without measure. Thank you for teaching this.

This is so interesting. I'd thought about restoration of trama caused by accidents and violence but never thought of disfigurement caused by cancer or other medical reasons. I'd also never imagined zipties being used in restoration. What a good idea!

I am a student of PIMs, loved the RA course. Great program overall!

It's great what you're doing Kari! Keep up the good work. For years the general public had no idea as to what's involved in the professional care and preservation of their deceased loved one. You are making it possible for people to know that the industry's practice and principles are very unique, and very well defined. Thanks for all you do!

This amazing work 👏 , allowing opportunity for a family to see their love ones, in a somewhat natural state. Thanks for sharing..

This is so awesome! Absolutely freaking fascinating! Thanks for sharing this with us Kari!

There are Embalmers who do the work. Then there are PURE ARTISTS! Who not only look at each and every case as if they are a personal loved one! I have a Good Friend, who recently retired from the craft, and at one time taught at Worsham in Chicago.

Just really had no idea what all went in to restoring a loved one for the viewing. It's just so amazing. You are all a master of artistry. Thank you for all taking your work so seriously and being so caring. The great Funeral Homes out weigh the stories of the ones that have totally abandoned the business and that have treated the loved ones that were entrusted to them so badly. There is a specially place in hell for those people.

This reminds me so much of my career with DoD where my job title was “Quality Assurance Specialist.” Because I inspected circuit card assemblies I was required to have a solder certificate which meant attending a one week course every two years where we were required to follow a blueprint and solder components onto a circuit board. Surface mounting was the most frustrating because the components were so small. Even though surface mounting is done by machine in the plants, we were still required to do it by hand and were graded on our work. Since I only inspected solder on my job, I was all thumbs while trying to build up my circuit card assembly. I wonder if some of the students in this class get just as frustrated in trying to reconstruct someone’s face because it’s not very often they have to do this.

Awesome to see so many younger people who want to get into this line of work!!!!

This was a great video we can actually see things that takes place in this field of work.

I wish I had known about this job years ago. Thanks for lifting the veil!

I am so glad I went into police work. The dead doesn’t bother me I’ve worked some gnarly accidents attended bodies til the funeral home workers come etc. the thing I couldn’t do is this cranial reconstruction. I failed art all through school so I know I couldn’t do what these talented ladies are doing. I tip my cap to them!

Little late seeing this. But I have to say for me this has been one of the most interesting and informative videos for me. I’ve mentioned to you before I have a Uncle and two cousins who are morticians in Charlotte, Michigan. I’ve always thought what a wonderful job they did. I now realize just how talented they are on top of everything else. Y’all truly are artist on top of caregivers for the families loved ones. I’ve always wished I had gotten into this. Even more now. Thank you Kari for all you share.

I so enjoy all your videos!!!.. I believe most would appreciate, the task of what restorative makeup art, entails,, to help lessen the blow, somewhat,, of death && the tragedy of disfigurement.. I learned from a dear beautiful friend of Mines, who literally lost half of her face, from a disgruntled jealous woman!. They did an excellent job on her!.. Thank You!!..

Kari what type of clay would one be able to use if they wanted to practice at home? You seem to be absolutely amazing in any setting I bet the students all love you. ❤️

Kari... I bet you are a fantastic teacher!! You seen me very passionate about educating the next generation! That's so awesome! Thx again for your wonderful videos for this of us who have odd curiosities :)

OMG KARI IM SO FASCINATED BY RESTORATION OF THE DEAD AND THESE VIDEOS YOU POSTED IN MY MIND WAS A GODSEND THANK YOU 😀

What a nice video very nice you talking about facial restoration I like it it's very nice you are a good professor in Mercury science it's very excellent

I love watching this reconstruction esthetic part.

I start my restorative art class soon- I'm so excited, this looks amazing!

Growing up I wanted to go into something science related and then switched to wanting a career in cosmetology or psychology/ becoming a therapist. I did always have a fascination with the macabre and just a genuine curiosity about death plus Abby on NCIS was my idol from age seven. Now at 20 I’m getting my GED and I have a set plan on getting my degrees, licenses,going to school etc. then hopefully becoming a mortician. Not only does it incorporate my personal interests and educational interests but it’s the only thing that’s kept coming back as a “yeah that’s something I want to do” On the human side of things I have not been the same since the loss of my grandfather and I genuinely want to be a part of the process in laying loved ones to rest💕

It’s interesting, BUT….. Just my 2 cents….. shouldn’t they be restricted from only working from the right or left hand side? I mean, IRL, they won’t be able to sit on the chest or straddle them to get a front on view like on the table….. the head is not likely to be detachable to work on it face to face….

Kari so interesting. You explain and demonstrate with so much respect and caring , what happens behind the curtain, to allow . we the grieving to have that final viewing closer . God bless you and all in your profession that show your love and dedication . Ps I will have a hard time using zip ties working . I’m sure you guys use the 6 to 11 inch ones not the big cable lashing 2 ft or longer 👍❤️🌹

This is such a beautiful thing you guys do for people so thank you..

Things we don't think of. Bless you guys

I went to a mortuary visit for a boy who had been killed in an auto accident. Won't give specific details. There was obvious repair on his forehead, but didn't see anything else. I remember wondering if the skin could have been finished more smoothly, but overall, he looked very presentable.

Kari, I forget no matter what. Some family members still want to see their passed member. Death facinate me, didn't know it was so intense. God bless all of you

KARI AWESOME TO SEE SO MANY YONDER PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET INTO THIS LINE OF WORK !!!! QUESTION WHAT TYPE OF CLAY WOULD ONE BE ABLE TO USE IF THEY PRACTICE AT HOME

I am glad to see so many people have the desire to help honor people no matter how serious the "status" of the person is. I hope I'm an "easy case" for whoever gets me!! 😁

So glad you have that get up and go attitude about you, You GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is SO fascinating! I'd like to take this class just for that reason. I don't want to be a mortician tho. I would never be comfortable doing embalming, etc.

I saw another video on RU-vid where someone mentioned the injuries on the mannequins are real life trauma that have actually happened to people. These brave people are the plastic surgeons of the funeral industry. I always believed we came into the world in one piece and we should leave it the same way.

You're right in my backyard! I live down in Waynesburg, about 52 miles SOUTH!!

My question. In practice, if a piece of skull is broken off and missing, how do you use the zip ties. What is used to replace the missing skull, plaster?

Kari, I can’t believe I missed you! I live 4 blocks from PIMS and I totally would have brought you a Pittsburgh Yinzer Doll/Steelers shirt as a souvenir!

Friend of mine is a mortician they had to reconstruct a guys face that was blown off with a shotgun amazing work

This is great. Fun to see how these things are done. I live 15min from there.

In reconstructing the skull due to trauma is super glue used at all, would it hold since it has moisture or use a drying agent to help ??? Since its used on the mouth/ lips/ eyes....

This job It’s so fascinating I wish I could have done it

Very good..excellent presentation!! Love this kinda stuff!! This is the part I’d like to do! Wish I would have known about this before age 66. Thank you!!

Can someone take just this part of the course ? Say if All they want to do is the cosmetics for the deceased , and not want to do embalming and such .. Thank You for Your Kindness and respect for Our Loved ones !❤

Kari ,I have to say you come across as a nice compassionate lady ,but I could only do your job,if I had no choice ,I think it takes a certain person to do it well !!!!🤗🇬🇧

I want to say you are so positive and motivating ❤❤❤❤❤

Are they permitted to use wee staples and sutures on the skin where it's visible and also add fillers onto the skin? What's in the mortuary cosmetics that allows them to adhere to the waxes etc. used in these restorations?

I think this would be "fun" and a challenge....and a way of building confidence and skills...see it as a positive.....

Wow. That's an important skill to develop!!!

OMG this looks like so much fun! I would love this class. Then I’d pass out when I had to do it on an actual decedent.

I wish I could take this class!❤️

Outstanding series, Kari

Your videos amaze me everyday

Women once were discouraged to pursue this type career unless they worked in the front offices of a FH. There were only a handful of women attending when I went to mortuary college. Most were relatives of FH owners. It's good to see the gender shift in an industry where women are now known to shine at problem solving & won't shy away from work which can be repulsive for most folks.

Hi Kari, how do they restore a deceased mouth if they have not worn their dentures in many years, their mouth would be droupy and sunk it, do they use cotton.

Hi does the funeral home charge more to restore a face?

Awesome just while I'm eating dinner

Extremely interesting

This is so interesting. I'd love to do this. I'm sure you must have some artistic ability.

Very interesting. Thank u.

So fascinating!!!

Kari, I am a NICU & L&D Nurse and have had the honor of caring for many stillborn. What do you do about "skin slip" ? I have seen it on newborns that passed within the womb with exposure of amniotic fluid for a while. It is difficult to help prepare a baby to see Mom & Dad.

Awww i am a student at PIMS about to graduate (prayfully) i wish i could have met you

are you ever going to be in the California area like around Los Angeles or San Bernardino

I just wanted to add on that my ex partners sister passed at 17 yrs old. Years ago. She had to have investigations to see why she passed , was an undetected heart defect. I decided to take a rose & card on behalf of my ex. Her brother. I was horrified as her nose & mouth had started to deteriorate & starting to see skeleton appearance her mouth was open. Whoever tried to make her look good failed. They put bright red lipstick on & it looked horrific! . I had nightmares. I really feel they should have covered her mouth with a scarf or something. Or a neutral lip colour. What are your thoughts on this please?

Hi Kari, have you ever done any restorative work yourself

Okay Kari, I'm intrigued. What are the names for the other trauma case models? Carzo is humorous.

Welcome to my Lab - or- it- ory......our garduating theme song is: "The Monster Mash" 🤣💐⚰🌈❤

Kari thinks for all the education

Very informative and truly learned art

Gotta ask..,are every funeral home supposed to be certified for this? I've seen some bad jobs.,,,to be expected.

How long on average would it take to restore some of the heads?

Do you have to apply for mortuary and pass certain exams to get in, like nursing school?

Kari, I am a licensed aesthetician currently for 9 years.. we learned anatomy, of course we do corrective skincare and cosmetics,and we work with intimate and intricate areas. Do you think it would be helpful having this license and 9 years of experience if I wanted to pursue mortuary sciences?

I was 7 months pregnant when I was Shot in my head and had to have my skull replaced THANK YOU GOD

One of the questions a viewer asked was how many would drop out when the real thing is in front of them. Before my ex went into law enforcement she hated looking at any dead person. After she switched careers she came into contact with deaths often and has to sit in on autopsies. She said it didn’t bother her because it was part of her work and found it interesting. The only part that bothers her is the smell.

Having seen you for along time!! Hope you have been well!!

Two years ago my 100 year old father-in-law passed away. When we saw his body he was all orange and they took each corner of his mouth and twisted it up so much so that they made him look like the joker from batman. Could you please tell me what the procedure is called?

Check out Cold hands warm heart for restorative and embalming tips! Monica Torres I’m sure you know her. She does incredible work

Ok I feel like this is a stupid question… but it’s a fear of mine for sure. What if you go through all of this schooling, then you find out you can’t handle being around dead bodies?

Save me some Fritos, Kari!

What do you cover the calvarim with? Wax?

Any before and after pics ?

Is this a final test for students

Would a patient be embalmed before this treatment?

Years ago when I worked some with a funeral home we had an accident victim who, while driving a car, ran into a utility pole which snapped and hit him at high speed straight in the face.

What if you are not artistic?Do they have to do the whole body.

My 16-year-old god son I help raise was killed in a car crash 2 weeks ago and I can tell but look at it him they had to reconstruct his face thanks for the video

Are you teaching and not doing bodies anymore?

We've got broken motorcycles out of the back of nowhere using zip ties. A must in anybodies tool kit

Thanks

I could totally ace this if it involved Mr Potato head. Otherwise, it looks like tedious work. Good job guys

When my brother shot himself he went through the mouth and the top of head had to be restored and yes had open casket for the family...wish they would have rethought that decision but they seemed to overstuff his head. His eyes where squinting. I remember thinking he looked like a sumo wrestler in the face . This was back in 88.

W O W!!

where can i find or purchase the head?

If there's a will there's a way for for pictures to be taken in that room little miss can't

That bust in the Thumbnail reminds me of Erik aka The Phantom of the Opera

What’s the oldest student of mortuary science have you seen?…I’m 62..