Staying alive: A day in a life of a mortician
A day as a mortician can brew a chill down the spine and a crawl to the skin. But to others like Mark Thurston it is just another day on the job.
Thurston has worked at Allen Hall Mortuary in Logan for nine years and said his job is unlike the rest.
“I guess you could say I see dead people,” he said.
Thurston said Allen Hall Mortuary was established in 1934 and was known as Hall Mortuary until it was later purchased by James Allen.
Thurston said a day at Allen Hall Mortuary begins with setting up the casket and then starting the funeral service. He said he and his employees are in charge of the program, the obituaries, being with the family, aiding in any way of selecting the casket and doing any other possible detail on their difficult day.
At Allen Hall Mortuary, Thurson said they are fully equipped with chapels and viewing rooms to have a full funeral service if needed. He said inside the mortuary is a showroom to make the selection of the casket and vault which are sold together for easier purchase.
However, before the funeral can take place they prepare the deceased by going through the process of embalming, and then the body goes through the cosmetic room, giving them a natural look. Thurston said the family members also help in the next process of dressing and doing their hair, which Thurston said helps add closure for the relatives.
Thruston said the mortuary has seen everything from infants to an individual who lived to be 106 years old. He said they are always on call and are available for pickups whenever needed, which he said averages at about one funeral a week.
–delayne.locke@aggiemail.usu.edu