Why bodies are embalmed

Some cemeteries require that human remains be embalmed by a licensed funeral director in order for those remains to be entombed in a mausoleum.

This is a cemetery requirement, not a federal or state law. When the public is invited to a funeral with an open-casket viewing proceeding the service, we at Kuhn Funeral Homes recommend that we be allowed to perform the embalming. What is embalming? Embalming accomplishes three goals: disinfection, preservation, and restoration.

The remains are disinfected so that harmful microbes are destroyed, preserved so that the natural processes of decomposition are slowed, and restored so that an eased appearance can be returned to the person. Embalming cannot completely halt the natural process of decomposition; in fact, it is against federal law to suggest that embalming can completely stop decomposition. Embalming is one method funeral directors have to ensure that human remains are able to be interacted with by the public.

Some critics of embalming argue that the availability of refrigeration makes embalming completely unnecessary. They say that refrigeration can do a sufficient job controlling the rate of decomposition. The truth is a little more complicated than that. Refrigeration can slow decomposition, that is true, but human remains decompose at different rates according to different factors.

Rates of decomposition aside, refrigeration does impact the way a person looks. These changes in appears can be startling, even rendering someone utterly unrecognizable.

When restoring a deceased human being during the embalming procedure, the goal is to create a positive final memory picture so that the last time an individual sees the person he or she loves, he or she is not left with the memory of someone suffering sickness or trauma.

Signs of trauma like wounds, scrapes, or cuts can be closed and the skin restored with a little bit of special wax and a fine coat of mortuary makeup. Signs of sickness like sunken eyes or hollow cheeks can be addressed during the embalming procedure.

It was very important to the family to be able to have an open-casket viewing as the deceased had been a vibrant woman with many friends and connections to the community. Brad was able to reconstruct her jaw with wax, a stippling brush, and mortuary cosmetics. Next, the cavity is treated. Fluid is suctioned from the hollow organs with an instrument called a trocar, then a high-index very strong fluid is placed into the cavity and the incision is closed with a small circular plastic button like device referred to as a trocar button.

The deceased is again washed. Their hair is combed and cream is placed on their face to prevent skin dehydration. The deceased is then covered and will remain in the preparation room until they are dressed, cosmetized and ready to be placed into a casket for viewing. Typically the viewing takes place a few days after death. So I will clean up the prep room and leave until it's time for the next embalming or until its time to dress and casket someone who's been previously embalmed.

If a person dies tragically murder, suicide, automobile accident the embalming process is drastically different. Tell us about something surprising, or unexpected, that happened to you while working:. I've had several interesting things happen on the job, but one particular moment comes to mind.

I went in for a 3am embalming and heard a strange whisper. I quickly fumbled for the lights and, upon turning them on, figured out that the noise was coming from the occupied stretcher. I approached with caution expecting the person inside could be alive. However, upon unzipping the cover, I found a tape recorder that I later found out was playing a Buddhist chant.

The next day the family explained that, ideally, a monk would be at the place of death to chant when the soul exits the body.

Chanting calms the soul, which the buddhists believe, is in a state of confusion and fright after exiting the body.

The soul of the deceased must be put at ease with food and chant throughout the difficult time of transition. This particular experience was both enlightening and frightening! My job is fulfilling when a particularly difficult case comes out better than expected. If a family decides to keep a casket open, when they previously thought they wouldn't be able to, or when someone compliments my work.

The best compliment I got was from a woman whose daughter died of bone cancer. She took my hand and said, "Thank you, she's so beautiful, she looks like she could get up and dance.

In other states they have separate licenses for funeral directors and embalmers. Even though I am licensed to perform all aspects of the business, I work as an embalmer because I enjoy that particular aspect of the business and found that it allows me to spend a significant amount of time with my family. Trade embalmers, like myself, are paid by the job. Usually we work for more than one location and will embalm, dress, casket, cosmetize and do restorative work.

Trade embalmers have the potential to make significantly more than the average funeral director depending on how many locations they work for and how busy those locations are. However, we do not receive health benefits because we are not full-time employees. I'm fortunate enough to say that I have not made any major mistakes. When I was an intern, I was super careful and very aware that any mistake I made could potentially affect the grieving process of the deceased friends and loved ones, so I always consulted with senior funeral directors if I was unsure of what to do or how to proceed with difficult cases.

I helped prepare my grandmother and embalmed my cousin and one of my high school teachers. I would draw the line at mom or dad. Although I do know of a few embalmers who have embalmed their parents. Those of us who choose to handle the preparation of our friends and loved ones usually do so because we feel as though we can do the best job restoring their natural appearance because we knew them so well in life.

It is difficult, but it's a labor of love. Is it true that they have to 'wire' people's jaws shut, and put 'velcro' contact lenses in people's eyes, and stuff their cheeks with cotton wool? And is it true that the last thing that everybody ever does is evacuate their bowels? The mouth can be closed by suture or by using a device that involves placing two small tacks one anchored in the mandible and the other in the maxilla in the jaw. The tacks have wires that are then twisted together to hold the mouth closed.

This is almost always done because, when relaxed, the mouth stays open. We also use cotton to fill out hollow cheeks or give the appearance of teeth to those who have none, or are missing a few. The device under the eye is actually a serrated plastic eye cap that helps keep the eye closed.

I do not enjoy the look of them, so I don't use them. Cotton is usually sufficient to use under an eyelid if the eye has deflated. However, we usually don't need to use anything under the eyelid at all. As for your last question, if someone hasn't recently evacuated their bowels they may defecate upon death but not always.

It has left me with absolutely zero belief in ghosts,and a quiet and calm acceptance of death as a natural process. Just wondered how you view the subject of ghosts and all the other cliches connected with graveyards? I feel much the same as you. I have yet to see anything that convinced me of the presence of ghosts. If they do exist, I'm sure they could think of better places to be than haunting me at the funeral home ;. In my humble opinion, the deceased is a vessel where life once existed.

I still treat that person with respect, but the spark that made them who they are is no longer there. Certain religions do not embalm Jewish and Muslim are the two that come to mind immediately. They believe the body should be buried with all it's components.

So removing the blood would be a violation of their beliefs. Are there conferences, trade magazines and an active collaborative community of.. What is the most drastic repair work you have had to do and have you ever found this distressing to do or can you just zone out and focus on the task at hand regardless?

After all these are real people and you must get a fascinating insight into their lives, maybe some of them haven't been seen naked for years.

You sure seem to have a lot of questions for this lowly mortician. Anyway, despite the minor insult, I'll answer your questions Many morticians have been taught, however, that embalming protects the public health, and they continue to perpetuate this myth. In fact, embalming chemicals are highly toxic. Embalmers are required by OSHA to wear a respirator and full-body covering while embalming. Embalming does not preserve the human body forever; it merely delays the inevitable and natural consequences of death.

The rate of decomposition will vary, depending on the strength of the chemicals and methods used, and the humidity and temperature of the final resting place. Ambient temperature has more effect on the decomposition process than the amount of time elapsed since death, whether or not a body has been embalmed. In a sealed casket in above-ground entombment in a warm climate, a body will decompose very rapidly.

Many funeral directors believe that seeing the body is a necessary part of the grieving process, even if the death was long-anticipated. It is the basis for the sale of profitable merchandise, the guardian of public health, the reason for much of our professional education and our protective legislation.

Direct or immediate burial, without embalming, must be offered by all funeral homes. The body is simply placed in a shroud, casket, or other container, and buried within few days, without visitation or service. Refrigeration can be used to maintain a body while awaiting a funeral service or when there is a delay in making arrangements.

Not all funeral homes have refrigeration facilities, but most hospitals do. What is embalming? How prevalent is embalming? Do any religions forbid it? When is embalming required?