Funeral Home Lighting (From the Book)

Question 1

Throught the United States and Canada, the most common type of lighting found in the preparation room consists of:

Answer 1

The basic “standard” Fluorescent Light Fixture

Question 2

The type with a long enamel (white) metal box. The enamel box is attached to the ceiling and the exposed fluorescent tube hangs down, glaring cool blue white light.

Answer 2

The Standard Fluorescent Light Fixture

Question 3

A recessed light fixture, with diffusing plastic panels covering the bottom of the fixture - this type of fixture is installed in a “dropped” or “hung” ceiling.

• Diffused lighting eliminates shadows and increases efficiency 100% in all aspects of embalming.

Answer 3

Ideal Primary Lighting for the Preparation Room

Question 4

Recommended that this be installed in the preparation room or the room where the body is to be cosmetized, dressed, and casketed.

• When the body is cosmetized under controlled lighting that is the same as the controlled lighting in the reposing room, the correct shade of cosmetics and the natural apperance of the body is easily accomplished.

Answer 4

Auxillary Lighting

Question 5

Should be installed in the ceiling and out far enough from the side wall so that the light beams can be overlapped and easy foused on the face and hands. There should be ample space on both sides of the table where the body will be placed so the embalmer can easily work from either side.

Answer 5

Light Fixtures

Question 6

Consists of incandescent lighting recessed in the ceiling. Consists of three light fixtures with three different colored lights.

Answer 6

Ideal Lighting for the Reposing Room

Question 7

The difference between this versus torchiere lighting, in comparing the natural apperance of the body (particularly when major restorations are required), is like the difference between day and night.

Answer 7

Color-Controlled Lighting

Question 8

The most skillful restorative artist can achieve perfection in restorative treatments and the application of opaque cosmetics under the preparation room lighting. However, when the casketed body is placed in the reposing room under ____ _____ ______, the appearance may be undesirable.

Answer 8

Adverse Lighting Conditions

Question 9

Will have a paled or pasty appearance in the resposing room under average funeral home lighting.

Answer 9

Average Prep Room Lighting Preparation

Question 10

Used in funeral homes across the country more than any other type of lighting.

• Reasoning is unknown
• Perhaps it is because funeral directors wanted to cast just a little light downward on the deceased in the casket.

Answer 10

Torchiere FLoor Lamps

Question 11

Some funeral homes use torchiere lamps in conjunction with ____ ___ ____ mounted in the ceiling and equipped with rheostat controls.

• Better than using torchiere lamps alone

Answer 11

Recessed Light Fixtures

Question 12

This is the standard light source used in torchiere lamps.

• Other colors are rose and daylight blue.

Answer 12

Red-Neck Mogal Base Light Bulb

Question 13

Generated downward through the translucent bowl of the lamp, while the bright white light is directed upward toward the ceiling, creating inconsistent lighting and unnatural shadowing of the facial area.

Answer 13

The colored glow of the red, rose, and day-lite blue/neck bulbs

Question 14

Even though this is an improvement, it does not compensate for their use.

Answer 14

Torchiere Lamps with Rheostats

Question 15

Primary Colors of light. If each color is blended togther in equal strength, the color produced is white.

Answer 15

Red, Blue and Green

Question 16

With a little adjusting made with the individual dimming control, a soft, _______ hue can be obtained whose color is complimentary to mortuary cosmetics.

Answer 16

Yellowish

Question 17

A mixture of red and blue and this color rather than green can be made to match the exact color of all complexion classifications- light, medium or dark.

Answer 17

Amber

Question 18

• Should be 20 inches apart with the distance measured from center to center of each fixture.
• The distance from the back wall in the reposing room should be approximately 6 feet.
• The fixtures should be installed in a straight line, parallel to the opening of the head panel of the casket.
• Should be placed so the focal point of the light beams can be easily overlapped and blended, covering the face and hands.

Answer 18

Placement of Embedded Light Fixtures

Question 19

Is a soft-white illumination. The tone of the light is adjusted to match the basic complexion colorant.

Answer 19

The Net Effect in Cosmetic Lighting

Question 20

Should be warmly illuminated and uniform throughout the room.

Answer 20

The Viewing Room ( Reposing room or chapel)

Question 21

Radiates more blue than incandescent light and will drastically change the appearance of the body in the casket, making the complexion less attractive and void of all natural color.

• The more of this kind of light that enters a given room where the body is to be viewed, the more important it is to have the cosmetic lighting system to compensate fo thte changes caused by light.

Answer 21

Sunlight

Question 22

Illumination of flowers.

Answer 22

Soft- white Hue

Question 23

A see-through piece of sheer cloth placed over the open side of the casket.

• Dates back to early days of funeral service
• Not used as often in funeral homes today

Answer 23

Casket Veil

Question 24

A special veil made up in a silk or nylon netting material with a four inch ecru lace border.

• The color of the netting is “poppy-red”
• Can be custom manufactured for any casket size
• Three quarted couch considered the standard size to have on hand.

Answer 24

Cosmetic Casket Veil

Question 25

• Looks attractive regardless of the color of the caket’s interior and exterior.
• Useful when viewing an individual who died from traumatic head injuries, and when major restoration was done.

Answer 25

Cosmetic Casket Veil

Question 26

Place a flower spray betwen the casket and the prayer rail. Places the mourners at a distance from the casket.

Answer 26

Alternative for the Casket Veil

Question 27

Creates a soft, tinted flesh tone and subdues any rough areas of the restoration of the face and hands.

• Prevents the public from getting too close to the deceased.

Answer 27

Lighting in the Casket Veil

Question 28

The color of a light bulb for light/medium complexion ranges.

Answer 28

Pink

Question 29

The color of the light bulb for dark complexion.

Answer 29

Magenta

Question 30

Either of these colors will create a soft, tinted flesh tone on the face and hands, as well as highlighting the interior of the casket.

Answer 30

Pink or Magenta

Question 31

Completely overcomes the problems created by bright daylight.

Answer 31

Combination with the pink or magenta light with the casket veil

Question 32

• Can also be used for graveside funerals
• Can aslo be used for viewing an infant or child

Answer 32

Casket Veil

Question 33

• Would be blue, white or pink for this purpose.

Answer 33

Children- Casket Veil