‘Gaining the Edge’ Perfecting the little things that make a big difference in decedent care…

2 General CE Hours

This presentation covers the cases we face daily in our embalming rooms…many of which are becoming more difficult, as a result of medical interventions, diet and other extrinsic factors. The importance of quality body presentation to the future of funeral service should be of utmost concern to us all in funeral service.  We will cover the value of the ‘pre-case analysis’, cover difficult case embalmings, as well as problem management and mitigation.  Soft tissue repair and facial restoration allowing for open-casket viewing will be covered in depth.  We will also cover ‘minimal body treatment’ for un-embalmed bodies, allowing families an opportunity to appropriately say goodbye prior to a direct disposition.  This lecture is designed for all levels of experience with tips and techniques that can be taken back to your embalming rooms and used. 

Speaker: Wallace P. Hooker CFSP, MBIE, owner/funeral director/embalmer of Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, IN

Wally attended Purdue University and a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, IL.   He served as 2015 - 2016  President of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and serves on the Advisory Board of Worsham College of Mortuary Science.     

Wally has done a significant amount of trade embalming in his career.  He is routinely called on by other professionals, for technical consultation, to assist with their problem cases, restorative work, and for their family members.  Wally has a passion and reputation for quality no-nonsense embalming and facial reconstruction.  As an ‘in demand’ lecturer, Wally has shared his professional knowledge and experience with professional colleagues at eight International, 30 State, Regional Association, Canadian conventions and meetings, as well as several mortuary colleges. He is a featured writer, ‘Embalming 101’ in Nomis Publication’s Funeral Home & Cemetery News

He has served Fountain County, Indiana for 29 years, as deputy coroner, the past 24 as chief deputy coroner/investigator.   Wally earned his designation as a Medico-Legal Death Investigator through the Indiana Coroner Training Board in 1998.

Wally and his wife Janet, live on their family farm and have two adult children and four grandchildren.  In his spare time Wally enjoys gardening and his collection of vintage farm tractors and equipment.