Unzipped

This book details the true essence of my earlier work as a mortuary transfer technician-a role that goes far beyond simply transporting the deceased. It is a deeply human responsibility, offering comfort and support to grieving families during some of the most vulnerable and painful moments of their lives. These families are thrust into an inescapable reality as they face their losses. Often, their losses become mixed in with my own mental state.

Parents who have just endured the devastating and unimaginable loss of a child must place their baby or child into our hands for the last time. We bear witness to profoundly heart-wrenching moments-when couples who have spent a lifetime together must say goodbye, as their spouse, covered in a blue velvet cloth, is driven away for the last time in our van. They are left with blank looks on their faces and tears streaming from their eyes. These moments challenge your beliefs, break your heart, and leave you questioning everything you thought you understood about death.

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 4- my first night on call by myself. The night that I still have flashbacks of- the first time I dropped a body-

"I was horrified and became hysterical at the sight of this man's face. His nose was gone, and his face was as flat as a pancake. I was aghast and stunned at this appalling site. The queasiness I had been feeling took over. I went outside to get sick and composed myself as best I could. The thought of where we were was a distant memory at that point. I almost wanted the burly caretaker to appear so he could either help us or just cremate me"

What you will read will shock you, sadden you, make you cry, and believe it or not, you will laugh too. My hope is that at the end of this book you can reflect on how fleeting time is and gain a clearer perspective on life and death.