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Fiji Repatriation: A Long Two Days...
Paolo Guglietta flew to Fiji to embalm and help repatriate a body. He reports on an experience with a difference.
The Assignment
The first call came through to our office at Hope and Sons, the death having occurred in Fiji. The request was to have an embalmer and a pathologist travel to Fiji to oversee and affect the autopsy and subsequent repatriation of the deceased back to Dunedin. I was given this opportunity to carry out the embalming aspect of this challenge. With my passport at the ready we were to leave at 7am the following day by private chartered jet.
The Preparation
I spent a few hours that evening gathering the necessary equipment, instruments and chemicals. Not knowing what I would have to work with, I was well prepared, or so I thought! All was put in a cardboard box which contained a portable embalming machine - a 7-litre garden sprayer, a hand pump with hoses, a full instrument kit, all the protective equipment needed, and an assortment of arterial and cavity chemicals with their Material Safety Data Sheets and accessory chemicals and supplies.
The Drawback
The private jet was unavailable and a commercial flight was arranged. I met the pathologist at the airport and we checked in. All went well until I was told I was unable to take the embalming chemicals on a commercial flight. The officials studied the MSD sheets, cross-referenced them with their prohibited materials manual and there was no way these hazardous chemicals were going with me. No need to panic, perhaps kava would work!
The Arrival - The Climate
Dunedin to Fiji via Auckland. The view as we approached the islands was stunning, touching down about 3pm. After leaving the air conditioned comfort of the aircraft, out on the tarmac, the humid 30 degrees plus hit me, just like walking into a sauna.
The Hospital Mortuary
We were met at the airport and driven to the Lautoka Hospital mortuary where we were to begin immediately. We were introduced to the local pathologist, two mortuary technicians and two police officials. The mortuary could be described as dated, however it was functional for its purpose. The room itself was about 10m x 6m, with the table in the centre, another table, a hand basin and two trolleys. There were two oscillating fans hanging from the ceiling and two extraction fans positioned eight feet up the wall. I had worked in similar and perhaps more basic conditions than this while on a trade embalming stint in England. However, I was here and, as the saying goes, "when in Fiji ..."
I observed the full autopsy procedure which took around 90 minutes.
The Embalming
I had inquired as to whether there were any embalming chemicals I could use after explaining what had happened before leaving New Zealand. As it happened I was in luck. There were two 5-litre containers of a solution available that would prove adequate for embalming purposes. The two technicians remained to help me, and I was assured the solution was "good stuff" which they had used many times. I began injecting this solution which gave me a definite and obvious result, my main objective being preservation.
While this was going on I learned of the usual embalming methods used in Fiji for repatriation. The technicians/embalmers were intrigued at the arterial injection method I used, their procedure being more invasive and rudimentary. The technicians helped me throughout the procedure by keeping the injection pressure up, and then with the suturing.
I was pleased with the result, although I was hoping I would have some time back at our mortuary in Dunedin before viewing, to rectify any problems, cosmetic application being a must. The local furniture maker and his team were on hand with a metal-lined casket, into which the deceased was put after being dressed.
My work was done for now. After cleaning up I was invited to join the technicians outside for a couple of bowls of kava. Before long my lips were numb, and fortunately I had to go as I had a ride arranged to our hotel.
The Trip Home
We flew out at noon the next day in a small jet, and arrived in Dunedin at about 7pm, where I was told the family of the deceased wanted him home for a further four days, and though this was to happen that evening I was granted a couple of hours to ensure "things were right".
Back at our mortuary and upon inspection I decided further work was required. This was concluded with a cosmetic application and another set of clothes. We then took the deceased home on a stretcher to be put on a day bed. A long day, but well worth it knowing I did the best I could, given the time and circumstances.
We monitored the situation and all was well on Monday, the funeral day. The preservative factor was well looked after and there no changes with the appearance.
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