A Heaven-Sent Project For Those Who Make Our Ends Beautiful

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that in 2023, an average of 2,000 Filipinos died daily. With population growth, the funeral services industry is expected to break the $1 billion a year barrier in the next five years. This demand requires a steady stream of trained professionals to meet the growing demand. Embalmer jobs, which involve safely preparing a body for a wake and alleviating the sense of loss for grieving families, are often underappreciated and require specialized training. The industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Recently launched together with social media posts by celebrity makeup artist and online influencer Jigs Mayuga, Heaven Palette is a joint project of the PCAS embalming school and TBWA\SMP. The initiative is aimed at enabling embalmers-in-training to hone their craft by helping with a large recurring expense: that of cosmetics. The Heaven Palette calls for donations of pre-loved makeup to be used by embalmers in training to help them learn how to do their job well.

In addition, the initiative hopes to make an environmental impact by encouraging the repurposing of makeup that would otherwise simply go to waste. In his post for Heaven Palette, Jigs Mayuga says, “At least hoarders like me, no longer need to feel bad about letting go of old eye shadow, old powder, used lipstick because we now have a meaningful purpose for it.”

The skillset required of those in the funeral services industry is highly specialized and broader than most imagine, and embalming in particular is a highly technical profession. “Similar to the medical profession, embalmers also undergo training in Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Hygiene and Sanitation, Instrumentation, Ethics, and Jurisprudence, among other subjects,” explains Sarah Dychangco-Reyes, President and owner of the Pacific Center for Advanced Studies.

“Embalming is a science, and learning anatomy and physiology is crucial in knowing how to handle cases with different causes of death. Learning cosmetics is also important because the families want their departed loved ones to look at peace and resemble the photos and videos that they have,” shares Katrina Mercado, licensed embalmer, Luzon admin, and instructor for PCAS. Even after a job well done, embalmers stay in the background and consider themselves lucky when they overhear mourners compliment their work.

Beyond the skills, though, embalmers must have a rare mindset and a large capacity for empathy. “It takes a great deal of mental fortitude and resilience to be an embalmer, and we do not take this profession lightly– it’s a calling. We are faced with mortality with every retrieval and embalming we do, and we do grieve with you over your losses,” Mercado adds.

Putting makeup on human remains is a skill that requires practice, and using good makeup is vital, so this is often a pain point. “Simply put, high-quality makeup is expensive. However, there is a considerable difference between premium and inferior makeup, in terms of pigmentation and coverage,” laments Mercado.

From the time of its first posting in late February, The Heaven Palette has received a steady stream of donations: “Our donation boxes are continuously filled with assorted cosmetics. Some cosmetics are used, while others are still in pristine condition. Our PCAS admin has been receiving continuous personal drop-offs, as well as many deliveries via courier,” says Dychangco-Reyes. The donations are evaluated, segregated, and arranged into actual Heaven Palettes, which are then distributed to students.