Desairology (cosmetology)

Desairology is a term created by author Noella Charest-Papagno in her first book, Desairology : Hairdressing for Decedents, 1980[1] that refers to the practice of caring for the appearance of decedents in a funeral home by desairologists, who are professional cosmetologists or barber stylists.[2]

Desairology is an all encompassing term for the practices of funeral cosmetology, mortuary makeup, and restorative arts, which are a product of the practice of viewing a deceased person in their open casket prior to burial. If a family requests a viewing, the funeral director will discuss with the family how they would like the decedent to appear, and even ask the family to provide a reference photo of the deceased. This photo may be given to the desairologist. A decedent's usual hairdresser may also be called upon.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's official view is that while no certification is required to practice desairology, a person must be a licensed cosmetologist, funeral director, or embalmer to perform cosmetic services on deceased persons. In many funeral homes, unless the family requests special services or a certain cosmetologist, funeral home personnel do the necessary cosmetic preparations.

According to the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), no schools in the United States currently offer specific programs of study for mortuary cosmetologists, however, many schools offer classes on mortuary services as part of their cosmetology curriculum. States don’t require special licensing for mortuary cosmetologists beyond the standard cosmetology license, which is a requirement for cosmetologists in all 50 U.S. states.[3]

The practice of desairology is legal, according to the "Decedents Bill of Rights," and care is left to the practitioners to perform as best they can.