The host of a YouTube channel interviews Caitlin Doughty, a mortician, about her career and experiences with death. Caitlin explains how she became interested in death while studying medieval history in college and later worked at a crematory. She talks about her YouTube channel, where she discusses death and the funeral industry in a respectful yet lighthearted manner.
The conversation covers various topics, including the mortician's favorite organ to handle (the brain), the use of embalming fluids, and the process of preparing a body for viewing. Caitlin also shares her thoughts on the importance of being with a deceased loved one and the emotional impact of seeing a body.
The host and Caitlin also discuss the show "Six Feet Under" and its portrayal of the funeral industry. Caitlin explains the concept of "angel lust" (post-mortem erections) and the use of A-V plugs to prevent leakage from the body.
Throughout the conversation, Caitlin emphasizes the importance of approaching death with respect and openness, rather than taboo. She encourages people to be present with the deceased and to process their emotions in a healthy way.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Caitlin Doughty is a mortician with 13 years of experience.
2. She majored in medieval history at the University of Chicago.
3. She works at a crematory and has a YouTube channel where she talks about death and the funeral industry.
4. Embalming fluid is used to preserve bodies and make them look lifelike.
5. There are different types of embalming fluids, including Living Splendor.
6. A trocar is a tool used in embalming to remove cavity and organ fluid from the body.
7. Formaldehyde is a chemical used in anatomy cadaver labs and funeral homes to preserve bodies.
8. A-V plugs (anal-vaginal plugs) are used to prevent leakage from the body after embalming.
9. Caitlin Doughty's favorite organ to handle is the brain, which she believes holds the seat of the soul.
10. She encourages people to be present with the body of a loved one after they pass away, as it can be a healthy way to process grief.
11. Caitlin Doughty has a funeral home called Clarity Funerals & Cremation in Los Angeles, California.
12. Titanium hips can be recycled after cremation and are sometimes made into airplane parts or street signs.
13. Angel lust is a rare phenomenon where a person experiences a post-mortem erection.
14. Caitlin Doughty believes that being honest and direct when delivering difficult news is the best approach.