Northern Michigan Mortuary Logistics, LLC

NMML presents:

Yesterday, NMML embalmer had the honor of presenting techniques for embalming decedents who have given the gift of tissue and organ donation in order to improve and save the lives of their fellow man.

Tissue recovery is a very invasive operation (albeit necessary) that can challenge many embalmers. Gathering to discuss restorative techniques and to better understand the recovery process is essential in providing the family with the opportunity to say goodbye as well as an opportunity for those in funeral service to champion the open casket service.

As embalmers, our charge, responsibility, and challenge is to give the body back. Never miss an opportunity to show the world of what a motivated and inspired embalmer is capable!

Special thank you to Sharon Gee-Mascarello and the team at Gift of Life Michigan for the invitation!

Your ESCO/HYDROL reps!

Keeping customers well stocked!

No, I'm not taking up meme creation.

Re-watch of Ghostbusters II just hit different tonight.

Mental health and serenity

A common question for funeral directors and embalmers is how one leaves work behind. More often than not, it is morticians asking other morticians for advice in moving beyond an especially troublesome or traumatic event endured on the job. After all, undertaking has a way of dragging its practitioners into the emotional pit of someone else's grief.

The answer is, of course, different for everyone; this is mine. Home has to be your happy place. After the worst days on the job, you should want to be home. You should be able to be your true self at home. Supported by your family and unburden your mind. For me, there is nothing more relaxing and therapeutic as a healthy dinner, followed by cigar, cocktail, and fire in the backyard with my wife. We have chickens pecking around us, birds singing, and squirrels bounding from branch to branch.

Be well, my friends!

Fountain National Conference for Post Mortem Reconstructive Surgery

What an amazing event! It is by far one of the best and most informative seminars I have ever attended. The lineup of speakers and topics presented is completely unmatched.

Photos are seeing her design on one of our shirts for the first time; Vernie Fountain reacting to yet another story told by Jack Adams; and, of course, documentation of the 12 hour drive to and from Springfield, Missouri.

Vernie's reconstructive surgery conference!

Who's coming? NMML lead embalmer will be in Springfield, Missouri later this month to learn and share tips, tricks and procedures with many of the leading embalmers practicing the craft of Postmortem reconstructive surgery. FNA seminars and conferences are one of the very rare opportunities embalmers have to further their understanding of what is possible in restoration and reignite their passion for providing open casket visitations for families who that need closure.

NMML somehow pulling off Taps at the funeral of a fallen 82nd Airborne brother. Our association was asked to provide full honors. Finding Airborne personnel to serve as chaplain and rifle team was easy; pulling off Taps for the first time in 20 years was divine intervention.

We're here and set up!

On display, we have ESCO/HYDROL products, memorial casting examples, and our t-shirts and hoodies. Promotional products include branded stress caskets and first call pads designed from scratch by us! You can also drop a business card in the fish bowl for a chance to win a free NMML shirt.

We hope to see you here!

MFDA bound!

The Suburban is coming with us, so we had to cross-load equipment to the flex. It isn't ideal, but it works! It probably won't be in service anyway because our other two vans will be up first.

NMML on the road!

Who's going to the Michigan Funeral Directors Association Convention in Port Huron? If you do, come see and at booth 406!

Who doesn't need a stress casket?

Go ahead; give 'er a squeeze! Just one of the little trinkets we will have at the Michigan Funeral Directors Association Convention next month!

Choose wisely...

I appreciate my partners in the field who let me borrow what I need so I can do what I do best. If a client funeral home doesn't have what I need to do the best job I can, I will provide it. I've been asked more than once, "Is that embalming fluid in your pocket?!"

In regards to the photo, ESCO has brought back Cadisol, a phenolic cauterant, and will ship it without costly hazmat feeds. If you need some, give me a call!

[email protected]
231-943-1203

Just started reading this tonight. Has anyone read it already? What are your thoughts?

Aneurysm Hook, and ode and a history

I often refer to the Aneurysm hook as the "embalmer's multi-tool." There are many variations, but the ones pictured are my favorite. Typically used in pairs, their primary function is to perform blunt and gross disections in order to raise and clear arteries and veins for use in embalming. However, they may also be used to bridge the vessel on the cradle shape of the handle so that the vessel doesn't spin and ligate itself when passing string under, using the slot also in the handle. The rounded ends of the handle are tapered to assist in spreading waxes, adhesives, or other compounds. The tips of the hook are squared off to easily "snag" tissue without causing a lot of damage.

Like many instruments used by the embalmer, Aneurysm hooks look much different than the Aneurysm needles they were derived from. The original needle form of the instrument was used in 19th and 20th century surgery in the treatment of aneurysms by means of ligating the affected vessel.

Aneurysm hooks have become instruments primarily used by embalmers and are thus instruments synonymous with our mysterious craft. They are extensions of the fingers and the hands of the practitioner. I know of embalmers having been themselves buried, clutching the hooks they used in life while performing their tasks. Mine are engraved with the crosses that our company uses in our branding so as to call upon the purple cross of Mortuary service, ever reminding me of the duty I have to our ancient craft.

Embalm all day, drive all night!

Such is the life of a mortuary trade services company. We are very blessed to be called upon by our county medical examiner, our local tissue procurement company, and our client funeral homes. With so much trust and support coming our way, we are more than happy to put sleep on the back burner and serve when called upon!

Also, the vehicles can not always be fresh out of the wash. This is after 12 hours, overnight, in some of the worst blinding, white out conditions I've ever seen! Nothing a 4x4 with all terrain tires can't handle!

231-943-1203
[email protected]

Who all does embalming reports?

NMML does an embalming report for every case and provides an Acrobat link that the receiving funeral home, if they choose, can add marginal comments. We developed this form from scratch to reflect the information we believe is important in a format that allows us to expand on the 'why' of the procedures and mixtures we used.

What do you think is important to include on an embalming report?

A very special thank you to for her recognition of veterans in funeral service. Thank you, Monica, for the beautiful military-style challenge coin!

My favorite part about what we do is collaboration. Every time we reach out to one another to offer support, encouragement, and knowledge, we make our ministry just that much more wise and cohesive. If anyone needs to "talk it through," please feel free to reach out anytime!

Wrapping up vacation

Tomorrow, we will be leaving the warm embrace of the Gulf Coast and heading back north to snowy Traverse City. It was a very rare and much needed getaway to recharge, but we are looking forward to getting home and back to work. Our transport team did an amazing job holding down the fort!

Other people get to sleep at night?

This has made its rounds, but just had to share. Sleep when you can, my friends!

Drawn in effigy

This is what happens when your teammates have way too much time on their hands. If you work at a funeral home in Michigan, please hire us for transports so we can keep these folks gainfully employed. Thank you.

Almost 60 degrees... in February... in Michigan!
Spent the afternoon doing what NMML does best! Then, prepped the hearse for a job tomorrow. Taking advantage of a slow and unseasonably warm day.
Also, shout out to people who have gifted me ci**rs!

1- year of Mortuary Transportation

Our embalming reports are digital. Otherwise, this stack would be twice as large. We are proud of how far our little company has come since December of 2020, when all we had was a caravan with the seats down, a borrowed cot, and some medical examiner calls.

We are committed to always being available when you need us!

231-943-1203 [email protected]

To the Fellowship of the craft of embalming: If you are considering purchasing "cooking tweezers," (which are uncomfortably similar to packing forceps) I recommend getting the black ones in order to avoid the "ick" factor.
Thank you

Training Day

NMML new recruits huddled in the cozy confines of our company headquarters to read through our company SOP and train on the use of equipment. This donut fueled basic mortuary transport training was led by NMML team leader . We were even dispatched to respond to a medical examiner call, adding to the quality of training with a real-world scenario. The backboard and cot were stacked with 200lbs of sand to add a touch of realism to the tasks at hand. Good work, team!