November 2018

Page A16 NOVEMBER 2018 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A The Fan Man, Inc. Fans Calendars Urns Register Books Dresses Advertising Specialties John Mannion “WhatEver You Need” 1-800-671-8280 Cell: 803-417-2940 Thefanman@comporium.net bankersadvertising.com/thefanman Triple H Company ESTABLISHED 1950 www.triplehcompany.com triplehcompany@att.net 1-800-252-3444 Fax 805-650-6444 FAM I LY OWNED American Made u Tongue and groove lid-to-base connection for maximum strength. u Green Velour Lining in Gold and White PYRAMIDS We are a cemetery, crematory and mausoleum product supplier. ® ® Authentic feature the exclusive green and gold Triple H Company logo ® Cremation Urn Vaults. Proven in use. ® u Two sizes – Original 9”x9”x14 ½” Over 900 cubic inches Accommodates most urns, three per carton. Oversized – 9”x13”x14 ½” Double urn burials and larger urns, over 1300 cubic inches, one per carton u Oversized lid manufactured with top connected to 4” extension. Gives operator one solid one piece sealed connection. u Excellent for Committal Services. u Solid Gray Granite Texture Inside and Outside for Consistent Appearance. u Three colors – Gray Granite, Antique Metallic Gold or Permanent Peace White. u Lightweight, high-impact polystyrene. u Lids interchangeable with common vault base bottom. u Sealer included with each vault. ® ® By Matt Black Embalming Tips & Tools Generalized Embalming of the Hands (Part 8) You should maintain optimum pH of the water in your embalming machine and – more importantly – buffer the pH of the deceased body to optimum level. We know that the body’s pH levels fluctuate after death. Initially a quick increase to alkalinity (basic), then as rigor mortis sets in the body’s acid levels in- crease. After rigor mortis has dissipated we again see an increase in alkalinity (basic). So why is the pH so important when it comes to em- balming? Recall from mortuary school that a strong alkaline (basic) condition causes formaldehyde to neu- tralize and a strong acidic condition causes formalde- hyde to polymerize. This is the reason why ammonia and nitrogen cause the neutralization of embalming fluid. This is frequently seen in jaundice cases, decom- position cases as well as medical therapy and drugs. The use of illicit drugs not only is devastating to fam- ilies dealing with the loss, but also causes medical and pathological changes within the body. A characteristic we will encounter very often is that illicit drugs can change the pH of the body to a stronger basic alkaline condition, lowering the pH of the body and causing a euphoric condition. The use of illegal methamphetamine can cause a condition called metabolic acidosis during abuse. This abuse can cause the tissue and blood to go into a low- er than normal acidic range. A medical research ar- ticle stated that the abuse of methadone will raise the body’s pH to a stronger alkaline. This higher alkaline pH will cause the nerve synapses that transmit pain impulses to stop functioning. Over time, abuse will cause higher dosage levels to be introduced because of the dependent factor of the body. We see this in most illicit drugs, in addition to drug therapy. The study stated that the pH of a methadone abus- er will have a higher alkalinity than a healthy living body. This high alkalinity in the body will result in neutralization of the formaldehyde’s effectiveness, and decomposition will overcome its preservative ability. The decomposition process also produces ex- tra water within the body during the autolytic pro- cess. This secondary dilution will neutralize the em- balming fluid even further. This scenario has become increasingly “normal” and has led to increased embalming failures. We must suspect that every illicit and/or medical drug could have a dramatic effect on the body’s pH level. These pH changes can neutralize or polymerize formalde- hyde if you are not using a high-quality water correc- tive conditioner as a pre-injection or co-injection. With our professional reputation on the line why not protect it with some easy prevention? Future columns will continue with treatment of the hands post embalming. Matt Black has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Pennsylvania for over 20 years. He represents The Dodge Company in Central and Western Pennsylvania. In addi- tion to being a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortu- ary Science, Matt also holds degrees in Bio-Medical Engineering Technology and Industrial Management. Matt has also attended the Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills, Springfield, MO, and is licensed in eye and corneal enucleation. He has presented at Dodge Embalming Seminars as well as numer- ous local seminars in Pennsylvania. He can be reached by email at mblack@Dodgeco.com. www.nomispublications.com Funeral Home & Cemetery News Contributors share insights and exchange ideas. B logs Original location at Park Place and Kraft Avenue struction of St. Joseph’s Church across the street from what would become the funeral home’s present location. In 1932, Fred H. relocated to the corner of Kraft Avenue and Cedar Street, the home of the Kraft family, one of Bronx- ville’s founding families. Through the years the McGrath family has preserved the home’s 1800’s motif. The original portion of the house offers a real home feel when entering the building. The wrap around porch is a signature of the era and still serves families as a pleasant space for gathering and relaxing before, during and after viewings. In 1932, Fred’s oldest son Fred O. McGrath joined him in the family business, and his youngest son Robert W. McGrath later joined them. Upon Fred H. McGrath’s death in 1954, his two sons continued to make sure that Fred H. McGrath & Son, Inc. stayed an independent and family owned business. An addition to the building, completed in 1954, pro- vides three equally large chapel rooms that have the ca- pability to open into each other. Because of this Fred H. McGrath & Son, Inc. has been the funeral home of choice for some of Westchester’s largest funerals. Fred O. died in 1981. Robert continues to work, mak- ing sure the family name and values that his father initiated years earlier are never lost. Robert’s wife of 64 years, Bumpty McGrath, also helps out at the funeral home. Although not a licensed funeral director, she works behind the scenes to manage the office affairs to make sure things run smoothly. Timothy C. McGrath, Robert’s youngest son, joined the staff in 1999. The McGrath family has been and remains per- sonally active in the surrounding communities. Fred H. was involved in local politics and was very active in the Knights of Columbus, especially in their youth programs. He served as Fire Commissioner for the Town of Eastchester Fire Depart- ment, as did his son Fred O. and up until his death was most notably known as the “Unofficial” Mayor of Bronxville. Robert W. has served on various committees in Bronx- ville and Eastchester, including as varsity football coach for Bronxville High School. He has been a member of the Bronxville Rotary Club since its inception. Because of his commitment, the Rotary Club has named an award in his honor, presented annually to a Bronxville High School senior for their exemplary career as a student. Before joining the family business, Timwas a grammar and high school teacher and the varsity basketball coach at Bronx- ville High School and Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains. Following in the family tradition Tim has be- come involved in the surrounding communities. He served as past president of the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce. He has also become very involved with the Bereavement Center of Westchester, having served on their Fund Board for many years as well as on the Bronxville School Founda- tion. The Tuckahoe-Eastchester Lions Club recognizedTim’s commitment to the surrounding community when they honored him with their 2017 Man of the Year Award. “The McGrath family is blessed to have a loyal and well experienced staff to lean on. Don Cupertino joined the staff in 1977, right out of college and has never left. He serves as manager of the firm as well as the highly success- ful girls soccer coach at Bronxville High School. James Celestino also has been with us for over 40 years while Eric Anderson joined the staff in 1988. John Glackin joined the staff in 2003 after a long and distinguished career as a NYPD Detective,” said Robert. The McGrath family, Fred’s son, Robert, grandson Tim, and their staff continue to work with Fred H. McGrath’s original mis- sion in mind, meeting all of their families’ needs as pro- fessionally and sympathetically as possible. Fred H. McGrath & Son Celebrate 100 Years Continued from Front Page of the surrounding communities, regardless of their reli- gious, ethnic or financial backgrounds were able to pro- vide their loved ones with a proper and fitting funeral. Located in the heart of downtown Bronxville, a square mile community just a half hour train ride from New York City, Fred H. McGrath & Son, Inc. is third generation, family owned and operated. The original site of the funer- al home was on the corner of Park Place and Kraft Ave- nue. In 1927, Fred H. was instrumental in convincing the Kraft family to donate a portion of their land for the con- News Funeral Home & Cemetery online www.nomispublications.com