Morticians have several techniques they use to keep the eyes of the deceased closed during funeral viewings and services. The eyes of the dead can often be stubborn and resist staying shut, so morticians must employ special methods to keep them closed and maintain the dignity and serene appearance of the body. In this article, we will explore the reasons that the eyes of the deceased may open, and detail the processes and products morticians use to ensure they remain respectfully closed.
Why Do the Eyes of the Deceased Open After Death?
After death, the muscles in the body begin to relax, including the muscles around the eyes. As rigidity sets in, contracted muscles stay rigid while relaxed muscles lose tension. The orbicularis oculi muscle, which closes the eye, often relaxes and allows the eye to open slightly. The eyelids may flutter open right after death or during movement of the body.
In addition, the drying of the eyes after death can cause the cornea to shrink away from the eyelids, exposing more of the eyeball. The eyes often sink back into the sockets as well, making it more difficult for the lids to stay closed over the eyes. Gravity can take hold of the eyeballs and pull them down and out if the deceased is moved.
Methods for Keeping Eyes Closed After Death
Here are some of the techniques morticians commonly use to keep eyes closed for viewings and funerals:
Eye Caps
Small plastic eye caps are among the most frequently used tools for keeping eyes shut. The caps look like small concave shells that fit over the eyeballs, under the eyelids. They contour to the shape of the eyes and hold the lids down. Eye caps are made of thin plastic, and some have small holes to allow drainage. They come in flesh-toned colors like pink, tan, and brown to match the deceased’s skin and conceal under makeup.
Eye caps are inserted under the eyelids after the eyes are closed. A bit of thick eye cream or petroleum jelly may be used to help them stay in place and keep the eyes from drying out. As the eyeball shrinks, the cap holds it in position to prevent the lids from opening.
Glue
Cyanoacrylate-based medical glue can be used alone or in conjunction with eye caps to seal the eyelids closed. The glue is applied carefully along the lash line and just above and below the lashes to bond the top and bottom lids together. Only a small amount is necessary to keep the seal intact. The glue dries rapidly and creates an effective closure.
During cremation, the heat of the retort chamber can melt glue and cause the eyes to open. Eye caps provide a more secure closure in these cases. For embalming and viewings, adhesive is an affordable and effective option for keeping eyes shut.
Thread
Thread can be used to suture the eyelids closed as an extra precaution. A mortician inserts a curved needle under the lashes and stitches through both the upper and lower lids, drawing them together. The thread is knotted on the inside of the lid, so no knots are visible externally.
For the best closure, small stitches are placed between each set of eyelashes all across the lash line. Thread provides a more lasting closure than glue alone, though it can be time-consuming to place. Clear nylon thread is thin yet strong enough for the job. Waxed thread slides through smoothly and holds knots better.
Bridge of Nose Pack
Placing cotton or gauze lightly between the eyelids and just under the brow can aid in keeping the eyes closed. This packing technique creates external pressure downward on the eyes within their sockets to resist the pull of gravity or movement. Too much pressure risks distorting the features, so the packing must be delicate and in moderation.
Eye Wires
Small, bent wires inserted beneath the eyelids can act as supports to hold eyes closed. Wires are shaped in an oval just larger than the eye and inserted carefully under the lids, resting on top of the eyeball. Like eye caps, they prevent the eyelids from opening if the eye recedes. Wires have small barbs or hooks to grip the underside of the eyelid and stay in place.
Considerations for Eye Closure Methods
When selecting a technique for keeping eyes closed, morticians consider factors like the condition of the eyes, whether the body will be viewed, length of time before burial, and potential effects on the facial features.
If the eyes are sunken, shrunken or distorted, more reinforcement like eye caps may be necessary to get them to stay closed. For a brief viewing, glue or just the eye caps may suffice, while thread provides extra insurance for long-term closure. The thread technique in particular can constrain and warp the eyelids if too tight, so discretion must be used. Non-invasive methods are preferable if the face will be viewed.
The eye caps and wires grip the insides of the lids, pulling them down uniformly for the most natural look. They avoid indentations that outward pressure can cause. With glue, care must be taken not to glue the delicate eyelashes together into clumps, which appear unnatural.
Keeping Eyes Closed After Embalming
Embalming procedure can make it more difficult for the eyes to stay shut. The arterial embalming fluid replaces much of the body’s fluids and often causes swelling. If the eyes are open during injection of embalming fluid, they may swell as well and be harder to close afterward. It is best to manually close the eyes before arterial embalming if possible.
Chemicals in the embalming fluid also serve to fix and harden the muscles and eyelids. This rigidity can work in favor of keeping eyes closed or can make the lids stiff, thick and challenging to keep down over the eyes. Plastic eye caps give better results for eyes that have been embalmed open and are difficult to close.
During embalming, cotton or eye wash balls may be placed under the lids beneath the eye caps to fill out the orb and support the cap flatter against the lid for better adhesion. Vaseline can be applied first to prevent the eye caps from sticking to the dried corneal surface.
Tips for Applying Eye Caps
When inserting plastic eye caps, morticians should follow these best practices:
– Choose the appropriate size caps for the eyes. They should not be too large or small. Measure horizontally across the eye for fit.
– Insert them gently, taking care not to scratch or distort the delicate eyelids or lashes. Use a cotton swab or tweezers to handle the small caps.
– Check that caps are centered and positioned evenly under both upper and lower lids. Adjust if one side is higher than the other.
– Ensure there are no gaps between the caps and lids where the eye could peek through after shrinking. Readjust if needed.
– Smooth down the lids gently over the caps to make sure they are sealed in place. Press out any air bubbles under the lids.
– Apply a small bead of super glue along the lash line and let dry to reinforce the closure if needed.
Following careful eye cap insertion procedures helps morticians achieve the best cosmetic results and prevent the eyes from opening later.
Selection Criteria for Eye Caps
Mortuary suppliers offer a wide selection of eye caps to suit different needs:
– Colors – Natural shades like pink, tan, brown and grey help eye caps blend imperceptibly under makeup. Opaque white caps provide contrast to make eyes look open when closed. Dark colors like black and navy can create a sleep-like appearance.
– Sizes – Caps must fit the width and protrusion of the eyeball snugly. Standard sizes range from 18-30mm across. Mini caps fit children and infants.
– Shapes – Round flat disks work for most eyes in repose. Arched, domed or oval caps contour better to eyes that are more open. Crescent-shaped caps only cover the top portion of the eyeball.
– Designs – Smooth, textured and vented eye caps provide different levels of breathability and flexibility. Some have tiny holes over the pupil for a more realistic look.
– Thicknesses – Ultra-thin, flexible caps mold tightly to the orb. Thicker opaque caps hold their shape better.
– Materials – Vinyl, latex, silicone or plastic caps come in soft or firm textures. Synthetic rubber caps stretch over the eyeball.
Closing Techniques for Desiccated Eyes
In some cases where the body is not found immediately after death, the eyes may be sunken back and desiccated. The eyeballs shrink and dry out, making it nearly impossible to get the eyelids to close over the recessed eyes in a normal manner.
For these difficult cases, morticians may employ orbital fillers to plump up the deflated eyeballs and provide volume to get the lids to meet. Cotton, gauze, or special eye reconstruction compounds are packed gently into the socket around and under the shrunken eyeball, filling out the orbital cavity.
This technique allows the lids to close naturally over the refilled eye orbits. Eye caps still must be applied to prevent the stuffed lids from reopening. It takes skill and care to add the right amount of packing and achieve a natural look. Needle injection of an embalming chemical like Cavity to firm up and plump the orb can serve the same purpose.
With desiccated eyes, glue and threads may not adhere as well to the fragile, dried tissue. Non-invasive fillers combined with supportive eye caps result in the best closure.
Conclusion
Although it may seem a simple thing, keeping the eyes peacefully and discreetly closed for the duration of funeral proceedings takes skill and the right tools. Whether using meticulous stitches, precisely fitted caps, delicately administered glue or packing techniques, morticians have an array of options to employ. With attention to detail and anatomy, they ensure the eyes remain closed and dignified throughout the viewing and service.