Being an embalmer is a heavy work in nature but despite the huge role that

they play in society, they are still unrecognized and underappreciated. Professional
and trained embalmers are competent in handling chemicals and putting cosmetics
in cadavers which evidently have the health risks and consequences (Abello et al.,
2018). Regardless of the health risks associated with the embalming process, being
an embalmer might be the last and only option in choosing an occupation due to
difficulties in life and lack of education, given that the funeral industry compensates
the embalmers in a consistent manner. Embalming is a dangerous work as the
embalmers are exposed to toxic chemicals which could cause serious illnesses and
or diseases, and social support from the general public would surely enhance the
psychological well-being of embalmers at work despite the health risks. Studies have
provided evidence of the relationship between social support and psychological well-
being. Social support helps an individual to reduce stress experienced (Poudel,
2020).

Over the years, psychological well-being has been an effective way to combat
human challenges and difficulties with optimism. Psychological well-being has been
defined as the extent to which an individual is satisfied with his/her life (Tran 1987),
an individual view of mental health (Peterson & Kellam, 1997), and feeling hopeful,
happy, and good about oneself.

In the Philippines, citizens often heard about the work of embalmers and the
common notion that they only clean the body of deceased person which include
chemical injection in the arteries and veins, washing and cleaning the cadaver,
removing the blood and other fluids inside the body, and applying makeup for the
beautification and restoration of the face deformed from unexpected deaths. The
work of embalmers is quite demanding physically and psychologically since they
would not only deal with the cadaver but also with the people around them, their
family, and also the bereaved family. The sympathy that they feel when receiving the
deceased person, the struggle of smell, the fantasies and dreams that they have to
deal with after embalming, the anxiety that they experience during the embalming
process, and their own feedbacks of the funeral home in terms of how they are being
treated, all contribute to factors affecting the psychological well-being of the
embalmers. The very nature of their occupation says a lot about their responsibilities
and there is no further development, recognition, and appreciation from the
government about their field of work. In other words, there is no paramount of
embalming; rather, embalmers stay in their course while being kept privately from
the society. The result of their private work probably causes the stagnant and the low
possibility of the expansion of their work opportunity. Behind the great deal of their
work, there is a need for psychological support.

There are only few researches about embalming and the embalmers’
psychological well-being in the community; however, studies focused more on the
external factors and effects in the life of embalmers. While it is good that there are
studies that focus on the embalming field, it is still important to be aware of the
psychological well-being of embalmers so that they would be properly addressed,
taken into consideration, and be given proper solutions. In doing so, awareness of
their work, appropriate advocacies, and the right programs for the well-being of the
embalmers would be presented to them which would recognize their field as a noble
profession and thus deserving of receiving reward - a way of boosting their work in
exhibiting their full potential.

Furthermore, describing the psychological well-being of the embalmers will

give them full awareness of their work and will give them coping strategies and
techniques when sudden stresses occur. Also, it will allow the government and even
the non-government agencies to initiate and give proper support and intervention to
the embalmers which will give pride to their field of work and thus bring honor to their
family and to themselves. Not just the people will be able to understand the
embalming work but also the psychological journey and encounters that the
embalmers experience which will foster respect and kindness. Limiting beliefs about
embalming will also be replaced with a positive attitude and outlook that will surely
contribute to future research and the understanding of the general population.

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