What Happens If You Die With Contact Lenses In?

May 2024 ยท 2 minute read

In Victor M. Sweeney's words (via the Mirror), "Yes, I have always removed contact lenses, because one of the things that we need to do is 'set the feature,' which means close the mouths and eyes." He continued, "We have a device called eye caps that lets us do this, which are basically spikey contact lenses that grip the eyes and remove the contact lenses." According to Absorbent Specialty Products, these eye caps can also give a corpse a more natural and plump appearance. Furthermore, Everplans notes that they keep the eyes closed by holding the eyelid in place.

Legacy writes that the setting of the features occurs before the embalming process. The Talisman reports that death causes the muscles to relax, which results in an open mouth and eyes. Therefore, setting the features is a must. Per Everplans, embalmers use wires to ensure the jaw stays shut. They begin by inserting a screw into the upper and lower jaw with a tool called a needle injector. They then use wire to attach the screws to keep the mouth closed. Embalmers can also choose to sew the mouth shut instead. In this process, a string is threaded around the gums and nostrils until the jaw is closed. Embalmer Jenn Park-Mustacchio said (via The Guardian) that she places "cotton in the mouth to give the person a more natural expression" to complete this step.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qL7Up56eZpOkunB9kG9pcWhgZMSprdNmn5qooJq7tHnIn2Syp6VisaqxjLCgraBdmLyvwMCcq2aklaPApr%2BMoqVo