Morticians And Funeral Homes In Kansas City Seeking Change After Burying Too Many Homicide Victims
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2021
- Read story here: www.kansascity.com/news/local...
Husband and wife morticians Scottie Hicks and Gwendelrae Hicks, owners of Northern Star Mortuary in Kansas City, Kansas, wonder if a "scared straight" visit to their funeral home might help young people avoid violence and make wiser decisions.
Video by Tammy Ljungblad | The Kansas City Star
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You know it’s gotta be bad when the funeral homes are complaining about death.
What a wonderful owner this funeral home has. Her professionalism, her passion, her ethics and her dedication are clearly above and beyond.
P77ps
I thought the same thing. They truly take special care as they should when you are trusting someone with your love one. And they have a better alternative to me than scared straight, young offenders are not afraid of jail. Visiting the funeral home and see how they plug bullet holes and seeing what your loved one has to go through, might be a deterrence???
Yes it is
My father died in a traumatic way. I was dreading seeing him at the chapel of rest but the lady at the funeral home who did the makeup, made him look like he was sleeping. I was so thankful for their work. He looked so peaceful. I was able to say goodbye to him without being faced with how he left me.
I think they should see the entire procedures of an AUTOPSY as well!
Whenever a shooting or armed robbery suspect is caught, before sentencing he/she ought to be sent by the judge to work one day at local funeral home. Mandatory! Then locked up. I guarantee 100% that person will never reoffend. That experience would haunt them that they’ll never want to attempt taking a life. It’s good and fair punishment because jail or prison isn’t enough and it has to be embedded in their minds that attempting to or killing people is wrong. I agree with this mortician 💯
Yes indeed
Please you simply don't understand.
That’s a really good idea! Maybe even perform some of the preparations!
These young people don't care about dying ,or taking a life. If prison life doesn't deter them from a life of crime watching dead people in a casket isn't going to have any effect on them.
Or anyone found with a gun for criminal use before they kill someone
I'm 82, and in all my years, have never seen such coverage of a deceased person...
The lengths they go thru just to cover bullet holes, to spare families any more trauma, astounded me.
Seeing employees actually prepping bodies is a sight l will never forget...Bless people like this for making ones' final journey as pleasant as possible for everyone concerned!
Thank u to the family who allowed their loved one to be used as a way to help people, especially our young people have a visual understanding and the funeral home as well. This lovely couple is willing to donate their time and business to help save lives. Much appreciated!
I commend anyone who can do this line of work🙏🏾 Takes a special type of person. Thank u for ur service. Jus wish ur services weren't needed as much as it has been.😢
I understand the concept, but unfortunately, these young ones today don't value life, not even their own.
It will never help everbody we know that for sure. But for those that it will help is what really matters. Somebody will be helped and as a result somebody's life will be saved because of what that person who 's life was changed because of this experiment. We must keep Hope Alive and stop being so negative .I think it's a wonderful concept. Shout out to these wonderful kind and professional people .
@@maryeustache5788 I totally agree with you.
I was a Forensic Psychologist, and worked in the " Forensic Morgue, for many years ".
I am know a Trauma Surgeon, and I try by utmost best ,to save lives!!!!. If i can save a life, all that studying, was worth it, one life!!!!.
I have always thought, " why don't these young men/ women, whom shoot ,stab ,and worse, why don't we bring them in to the Forensic morgue, and see exactly what they have done, and make them " sit through the full Autopsy " , as you said " if it only changes one person's behaviour, then many of a life could be saved." We have to get real about this, and YESSSSSSSSS, keep the faith, and positivity, let's not get negative, that is when, everyone ,just throws their hands up, and say, " we can't stop it". We have to try, and keep on trying!!!!!!. These so called " tough people, that have to shoot, stab etc , need to see what we do, and what they have done!!!.
Yes ,they must go to jail/ prison, but it should be Mandatory, " for those ,people, if proven guilty to sit ,and see exactly " what we see,every day ".
Whilst I was working the late shift in the Forensic Morgue, I opened the body bag up , and " it was my WONDERFUL BROTHER, RIP ,he was an innocent bystander.
It still hurts, and haunts me to this day!!!.
I always treated the deceased, with respect, honour, and thought of them, as my own.
GOD BLESS EVERYONE, AND THE BEAUTIFUL FAMILY, AND RIP.
It would shake them up ,alot!!!.
For those of us who have worked in either the Medical Examiner's office, city morgue or funeral home we know first how impactful it is to see human remains riddled with bullets, stab wounds or worst.
I have over 20 years of experience working as an embalmer, mortuary tech in the ME's office and funeral directtor doing in excess of 500 calls per year.
With all of that experience, I can say that I ever got used to seeing young black men in particular laying on my table full of gun shot wounds.
I know that the scared straight method has been tried before however, I believe that if a young black male had an opportunity to see a full autopsied body coming directly from the ME's office, no embalming or preparation, just the raw presentation, I know that it would make a huge difference. I know approach that this could work b done it
I've seen thou
Sutured removed from the autopsy. I worked in an FH some years ago, how the bullet wounds have to be plugged and in some cases, aspiration of the body and multi point injection sites.
I e seen it first hand. It sadden me over the lsst 9 years.
@@devonrampersad8109 It’s why I got out of the business. We was one of the oldest FH’s in Atlanta and we went from burying the elderly to young folks, regularly. It really got to me
@@mrmayhem6210 wow I can’t imagine the toll it took on you..that’s just something no one could ever get used to..truly sad
I say they should see it all, after all they either are victim or the one who could cause the death. If they participated in scared straight and it didn’t work, time for part 2 they get to go to see the autopsy and then funeral preparations. I know things like this probably won’t happen because of legal issues but it’s a good idea i think.
So many young people need to see this.
Yes
They already seen it every day in the day hood
Mom's should watch this
@@Real_Talk_Ent I did a lot back in my day
That's exactly how I feel when I'm beautifying a family's loved one.. This is their final appearance .
I have a great deal of respect for them.
Planning a funeral is EXTREMELY HARD!!!!
Funeral arrangements are not made easy nor comfortable, even when there are other family members or close friends in the arrangement room. It is something that is not forgotten.
@@captainkeyboard1007 Amen to that.
@@mattyshields9790 Thank you for tapping or typing to me.
This is so sad. I hate what we're doing to one another.
I agree, & until we start having respect for one another we have no business crying BLM.
We've got to really come together. Humble and pray 🙏
It is so said I think that anything we can do to make a difference and save 1 life at a time
@@lindawelch3313 PRAYING LMFAO What fucking Joke that shit ain’t help us for around 500 Years what makes you think that this will be any Different.
@@GABRIELADAWSON if you've never tried Jesus than you don't know how he changes ones life. It's funny how someone can say Jesus isn't real but yet never tried living for him. It's not a religion it's a relationship with him. I could tell you what he has done I'm my life, but it would be waisted. Since the beginning of time Jesus has been hated. But one day when he returns it will be when everyone is Judged. One thing I've learned if you don't give up,he won't give up. Such peace and always there when you need him. So unless you don't come before him with a sincere heart and believe, you'll never know how real he is. The Bible is coming true and I'm sorry you don't believe in him. Just remember he loves you no matter what. Another thing I've learned Sin will take you as far as you want to go. In the last days people will call good evil and evil good. It's happening now in the world. Also people's hearts will be cold and a spirit of rebellion is in the world. Thank you for your comment and praying one day you will give your heart to him.
The Parents FAILED THESE YOUNG KIDS EARLY IN THEIR LIVES....THAT'S A FACT!!!
True!
Several years ago I was a forensic technician for the medical examiners in Maryland and I know all to well what it's like when the medical examiners receives a homicide. I pray for the victims as well as the family.
What schooling do you have to do to be a forensic tech?
💔
@@danceskirider A.S. in biology, forensic science, mortuary sciences, most importantly network. Start at a funeral home and get the experience while you are pursuing a degree in one of those fields, then apply at the Medical Examiner.
This video was made very respectful and with dignity for the deceased. I appreciate the family for allowing your mortuary the opportunity to video their loved one.
I think your intentions of making some of these young angry youths see death up close will have positive outcomes for some but not all. But that's okay, even if only one person receives the message it'll be one less shooter on the street
Be well and abundantly blessed 🙌.
Amen to that brother...Nothing clever about Gang Bangers
Blessings I agree
I use to work at a Funeral home and we always treated the deceased with the highest form of dignity, no jokes or comments were made or tolerated about the deceased person. And I can tell you if you suspect a Funeral home is not treating the deceased with the respect that I mentioned above then please don't let them handle your love one and. Let everyone you know the same thing if your sure!
SO VERY TRUE!!!!!!. AMEN , AND A WARM THANKYOU TO THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED, AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS. 🙏.
They should have them come in and witness the preparation of a young persons body who died violently. Seeing a young person buried is beyond maddening. Life is being wasted. Got to do better as a community.
I hope that person didn``t died from covid.
Unfortunately the “scared straight” concept didn’t work in Philadelphia, Pa. It’s been tried in cities across America with little to no success. I’m in pursuit of the truth. You can’t scare straight until you remove the hate. Young people have been so desensitized to death and dying many could sleep soundly in your mortuary prep room alone and surrounded by corpses.
You are so right.
How do kids become that way? I mean they have to know right from wrong. Which is interesting, because they can kill someone and not feel bad. But when someone close to them dies of the same thing, they cry and feel pain.
As long as they have an I pad that’s all that matters to them
@@susanmitchell8433 it’s the downward spiral of a nation who embraces imperfections and mental illness and celebrate it. The encouragement of fatherless homes and also abusive ones. Also not spanking your children and letting them get away with and do crazy things, because they think it’s cute.
You Truly wanna know why??? Cause THE ELITES Planned for the Youth to be Crazy,Wild Killers to take each other out for The System to BENEFIT From always keep in mind that the System is a BIG ASS WELL OILED RED MACHINE that’s WHY!!!...That’s also why the world would NEVER get Better.
Excellent video. High school students should spend a day at the funeral home. I think that would save lives.
If I could charter a bus and get kids on it I would. I’ve lost so many friends to senseless killings. One who had just graduated college going to law school to gun violence. People don’t understand how precious life really is.
M aseufkfis neia
You all have a hard job and have compassion in your hearts. Thank you for all you do.
Nothing but love and respect for these people 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 can you imagine trying to put people back together to present to their loved ones after someone else tore them apart with no remorse 😢😢😢😞😞😞🙏🙏🙏
I agree with you whole heartily. Bring those young people in, show them close-up what a shot or stabbed victim has endured. Afterwards, some will not change BUT some with be changed. We can only hope that most will be changed and to take a different path.
I know plenty of students that need this wake up call
Also, the men who attacked their wives and girlfriends, need to see autopsies performed at the medical examiner building, and to see how autopsied bodies are embalmed at the funeral home.
It's quite obvious you take such good care of a person's loved one. Thank you😊
Every funeral home should be as welcoming and caring as Mr. and Mrs. Hicks of Kansas City.
THEY NEVER TELL YOU THAT THE FUNERAL HOMES WILL DRAIN YOUR FINANCES AND INSURANCE POLICIES DRY!! NEVER GIVE THEM YOUR POLICY FIRST, YOU TELL THEM WHAT YOU WILL SPEND AND STICK TO THAT PRICE!! THANK ME LATER!! 👍🏾
These people are heroes!! ❤️❤️
On TH-cam, the funeral directors, embalmers and funeral technicians are called "The Last Responders." Funeral directors and embalmers are my kind of people.
There was a police program called “scared straight”, that showed kids what jail and prison was like. This Director suggests to bring young people to see the process of a funeral, this in my opinion would be a science field trip and I appreciate someone like him trying to help educate our young people in reality. Too many video games have taught kids that you can start over if you’re killed. Thanks to all of you and what you do.
Condolences to the family.
Thank you for sharing your loved ones story.
I like how they spoke about the care for the family love ones and how they treat them like it's a member of their family.🖤
Me too .
Our School Had A Class called Family Relations and our Senior Year we took a field trip to the Funeral Home I will never forget that Thank You East High School Columbus Ohio for going the extra mile. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for being real about real life
Bless the people who do this kind of work with compassion- granting to people and their families in death the dignity they were denied in life.
Thank You family for allowing an audience to see how your Loved one was prepared for their service and Thank You to the Funeral Home Owner and their Staff.
My condolences 💐 goes out to the family and friends.😭🙏🏿
My dad wants me to help take over the family funeral business. Thank you for this look behind the scenes.
Y’all must got money 💰 .
I’m thankful that this popped up for me. I wanted to be a mortician, and this gives some insight. It’s so sad for the families, tho.. 😞🙏.
Wow, this is powerful.
Amen and God bless, this is needed, and I pray that you have made a difference in someone's life💙🙏🙏👏
I admire your Career, and sharing this topic,and story!!! Thank You!
I have been to a lot of funerals
And you attendants of the mortuary service indeedly know
your craft.My nephew was gun down he was only 22yrs old.
His injury was in the head area.
The mortician did an excellent job on him.It looked as if he was asleep.He had a peaceful look upon his face.😐
I'm so sorry for your loss😢
I love this funeral home they treat the family And victim with love
All this starts at home, if the parents would just spend time with there children and participate in there schooling . And quit being so lazy and letting them run the streets. And all these children having babies needs to stop. Maybe if we had a program for all teenagers in school teaching them how hard it is to raise a baby. But, to make sure you pass the class ,with a good grade and if you don't you don't graduate. Maybe we can come up with some good idea.
Yes I agree but sometimes children especially teenagers can be hard headed and rebellious and it's hard to control them and keep them out of trouble no matter what parents do or say.
At this point, it would be worth a try.
May God protect you as you continue to serve others
Thank You for your Beautiful Services.
Ms Hicks was there for me when my Son passed in 05 and she was Awesome
Very well said, thank you for your services
This mess up. When funeral directors are overwhelmed by the amount of dead bodies from homicide you know the feeling.
Thank you to the all nice funeral home staff for a nice heartfelt video message. Well done!
If it saves one life, it's worth it
🙏🏻🙌🏻 love and respect for you all !
What a strange ritual, burial is. I will be cremated and I hope many people will also do the same.
That’s your choice, but everyone doesn’t want to do what you do.
i just wanna know where all these bodies are
because it aint that much burial land in existence 😲😲😲
@@miggidymark hmmmm....good question
yep. funerals are a waste of money. just burn my meat suite up and flush my ashes down the toilet if you want. I don't care. I'm free of this reality and I don't want to incarnate back to it once I get out of here.
God Bless these morticians.
This video was suggested to me and it changed my life!
Thank you for your assistance and your understanding for the ppl who have been in a very bad situation to die and God bless you all so much for your service
These young thugs don't give a good Goddamn!!!
Naaaaawwww,,,They don't They'd rather shoot than talk it out
@@lynncoop4022 Exactly....SMH!!
Dont take Gods name in vain please
@@thomascurrens3981 OK ✌🏼
"The name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed." 1 Timothy 6:1. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11
This funeral home means well but the only thing that will get thru to the thugs who have no soul is for this to happen to someone near & dear to them, & if not here it sure will be in hell.
It already happened to them that’s why there’s a never ending war
Hits different when your looking at it at this angle
Thank you. You could see they were gentle and respectful. Thank you for all you have served. I seen some not so pleasant preparations in my lifetime. You restored my faith in your Industry. 🙏🏼
God bless you all. Thank you for the amazing services you provide.
It's sad when the police are present at funerals
I agree 💯 with them. Our kids of any age needs to see that
I have always said they should make the murderers go to the funeral home and watch the whole process, start to finish. But the again, it might not even affect some of them!
I wanted to do this when I was a kid. It is a booming industry. Especially now, these people are dying minute by minute
Thank God for ALL the "Last Responders" ??? 🤔
They are my kind of people.
Thank you for sharing this..you all are so caring and respectful
Thank you for all you do.... TEACHING AND CARE TAKING...THANK YOU AGAIN
Beautiful kind lady and man that speak. Such good in this world, to see out a human being with care and love they show. God bless them both.
It may help one or two but know that we are living in the last days and God words safe children be weaker and wiser disobedient to their parents have no fear
I was thinking something very similar to this. After watching many videos. Many of African American people who have passed, I noticed so many young men,boys and girls walking passed the open caskets and looking in, wondering to myself, does this sight make an impact on that young person? Seeing how FINAL this moment is. Then I’d say a prayer asking the Lord to please let this deceased person “speak” to this young man/woman loud enough to make an impression to make them think twice before becoming involved in any violence, crime etc. 🙏
I get your message but it's not only young African American boys and girls that are dying from violence, although it seems that the number of deaths among African Americans is higher but don't make it seem like it's only African Americans. We are living in a time where prayer for all of our youth is necessary no matter the color. They all seem to be so angry, feeling hopeless and acting as if love is something they have never had or felt. 🙏🙏
@@iwainacomer8698 I agree. It’s just the African American home goings that I’m seeing here and commenting on. No offense implied, just sad to see so many. I’ve not only commented on AA home goings. Peace
AAs are dying from gun violence more than anyone else, and it's been out of control since the late 2000s. Things won't get better when so-called leaders are being soft on criminals.
I applaud you. This is most comforting. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you lady for all the love you give to every individual person that is taken care of by you beautifully lady's. May God compensate you and you're love one's for the unconditionally time and care given by technicians that dedicate their nice service and preparing every corps that passes thru. That job as we can see is back breaking and most of the times not appreciated by the diceased family members.
Totally agree with this gentlemen and miss!! Funeral homes need programs like the "scared strait" programs the jail has. Bet kids be seeing their ways way different afterword.
I appreciate you sharing this information
Thank you sharing this information
So well worth watching.
Thank you so much for making this video!! This nonsense has got to stop!! God Bless All of You ✝️
I am sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family with angel wings. Fly high beautiful person with the angels.
Thank you that was very informative 😥🥰
I enjoyed watching this video. It was very informative about how to prepare a deceased who died violently for his/her funeral.
Thank you for this video. I hope it breaks through.
Thank you for all you do ❤
This is Jennifer Sinclair. These funeral people are brilliant and WISE. I wish this was required viewing for all young high schoolers and GED students- spend a day at a funeral home as they prepare a murder victim's funeral.
I truly believe that those young people who are troubled or continue to get in trouble...to work a day at the funeral home..this would be therapy for sure
Love you baby. Ms. Hicks you are one in a million.
I love the care and respect those loved ones are given on their final journey ❤️
Making mom's funeral arrangements was a dreadful process. Picking out the casket, flowers, talking a walk to the final resting place in the cemetery. I learned alot; yet, that's something you don't look forward to..but, it's the cycle of life😔😔. Nevertheless, these folks appear to do awesome work. The gentleman literally looks asleep.
I had to at 21 years old do my 19 year old brother funeral after he was murdered..
It was the hardest thing I had to do in my life.. But it made me more conscious and aware of how to handle my children and grandchildren cause I don't want to burry the and I want them to burry me but it's life and and that's the order it's supposed to go
Thanks for being honest
Great job!!!
I totally agree with you all..🙏
He’s right. We plan everything except from our funeral. We plan birthday parties , weddings that don’t last. Why not plan for a date that we know is promised
Father God I pray you continue to be with this family and everyone else who has lost loved ones 🙏💙
It takes a special kind of person to do this type of work. God bless them all.
WoW, and may our Brother In Arm Rest in Peace. Great Job, and Professionalism
Amen such an eye opener 🙏🏾🙌🏾
Big respect !!!!!!! -
On this entire idea and guts to say it.
So professional! Blessings.