You probably already know a little bit about the embalming process. You can find it books, movies, and of course the internet.
But what is the purpose of it? And do you actually need it?
Our experts will go through what is embalming, the process, legalities, and costs.
We’ll also discuss situations that require embalming and whether it’s needed for cremation.
Please be advised, information and photosof this nature may be difficult to hear and see.
What is Embalming?
Makeup Application
Embalming is a procedure which slows decomposition of the body after death.
It’s typically necessary in situations where there will be a period of time between when death occursand the cremation process taking place.
It can also be needed if there will be a viewing of the body at a wake, funeral, or any service where people will observe the body.
In that situation, embalming is required before applying cosmetic applications such as makeup.
Embalming Helps The Grieving Process
When a loved one dies, some friends and family will want to see them in their natural state- as they appeared before death. This can aid in their grieving process.
It’s easy to have the impression that this is a simple process, due to what we see on TV and in movies. Nevertheless,this is a multifaceted procedure.
Why Do People Get Embalmed?
People have various reasons for choosing whether to embalm or not. A few are listed below.
Open Casket Viewing
Time Delay
As mentioned, there can be delays between whena person’s dies and when they are cremated. In those instances, embalming the body is necessary to slow down decomposition.
The person may have died while away from home and the body must be transported back.
In some states, it is mandatory to embalm within a certain time period after death, usually a week.
A funeral home or the local authorities can direct you in those matters.
Viewing
If there will be an open casket service, embalming is generally desired.It’s required inorder to do the essential cosmetic applications, which make the loved one appear lifelike and natural.
Disease
Embalming is required if the cause of death was due to a disease. It’s especially necessaryif the body needs to be transported.
Do you have to embalm a body?
Memorial Service with Cremains
In most cases, the body does not have to be embalmed. For instance, if there will be a direct cremation, the body is taken straight to the crematorium and cremated right away.
With direct cremation, there is no funeral or memorial service. The body is not viewed by family and friends in advance of the cremation.
It is quite common for the body to be cremated before any memorial service. The ashes are present at the memorial instead of the body.
How long does embalming last?
Mortuary Embalming Tables
Embalming lasts from a couple of days to about a week. There are many variables such as the type of chemicals used, how they are implemented, and their strength.
Embalming Fluid: Formaldehyde
The length of time that formaldehyde lasts in the body can alsodepend on the environment at the location where it takes place. Also,whether it’s hot or cold, humid or dry.
Hot and humid conditions would speed up the decomposition.
Longer preservation of the body
If a body is embalmed for medical donation,a delay might berequiredfor a longer period of time.
In that situation, stronger and larger amounts of formaldehyde are implemented to increase the time to as much as two years.
However the stronger chemicals cause theskin to have a leather like appearance. Therefore they could not be used if there is to be a viewing.
Cold Storage Awaiting Embalmment
If the body is not embalmed
Without embalming, the body will decompose quickly. The bacteria begins to break down the soft tissue.
The pancreas contains large amounts of bacteria. It digests the pancreas and then works through the body to the other organs.
The body becomes bloated, due to gases that build up. Eventually, it begins to liquify.
Embalming before cremation: Do you need to?
Embalming is a personalchoice for the family and not required in most cases.
The majority of time, the body is cremated and the familystores, scatters, or buries the ashes. If they desire a funeral, it’s normally done after the cremation.
Nevertheless, many people wish to have a funeral or other memorial service beforehand.
It is the opinion of some that viewing the body aids in the grieving process. Some people are unable to grasp that their loved one is gone, if theyare unablesee the body.
Eye Caps (Prevents eye lids from opening during embalming)
Legal Requirements
Embalming is not typically required by law, except in extenuating circ*mstances. A viewing of the body without embalming is allowed in private for family and friends if desired.
The body would be kept in cold storage until the viewing occurs.
In the case of a public viewing, such as in a funeral home, the laws differ between states.Also, somefuneral homes do require it.
That would be a matter for you to discuss with the funeral director.
Also, if transporting the body is necessary, it may be required to embalm in order to cross some states lines.
The Embalming Process
Below are the steps for embalming a body.
Preparation
The body is first cleansed and disinfected.During that time, itis massaged and flexed. This isto alleviate rigor mortis, which is a stiffening of the body that happens a short time after death.
Even though rigor mortisceases later, the massaging helps to postpone it ormove it along.
Arterial Embalming
This is the process ofremoving the blood from the body.It’s drained from the vessels, while embalming composites are simultaneously pumped into the arteries.
This is accomplished using a pumping device that performs like the heart, by moving the fluids through the arteries.
The blood runs out of the body andinto a drain, thenthe sewer.
Trocar Instrument for Cavity Embalming
Cavity Embalming
This step is for removing fluid and gases from the organs. An incision is made near the navel and a large hollow needle called a trocar is inserted.
The abdominal and chest organs are punctured with the trocar asthey arereplaced with embalming chemicals.
All openings in the body are then plugged to prevent leaking.
Hypodermic Embalming
A procedure used to inject embalming chemicals into any areas that werenot reachable with the other methods. It is injected with a hypodermic needle.
Surface Embalming
This step is implemented as needed. Embalming fluid is applied topically onto the body in areas that have become damaged, due to decomposition.
Afterward, the body is washed and dried again.
Pouring Embalming Fluid into Pump
Facial Procedures
In advance of the embalming procedures, the face must be set.
Caps are placed over the eyes to prevent the eyelids from opening. In addition, it sets the eyes in a natural position. This is typically done using a photo of the deceased.
The jaws are wired shut and the lips are sutured. The mouth is then manipulated and an adhesive is used to set the expressive to look as natural as possible.
Cosmetic Applications
A moisturizer and then makeup is applied to the hands, face, and neck.
Sometimes gel is applied to the hair before styling. Also, powder is applied to the body to absorb oils andmask odors.
If the body has been damaged in areas such as the face, neck, head, and hands, reconstruction is sometimes necessary.
Plaster of Paris or wax is frequently used to reshape the damaged areas.
Organ Donation
If organs are to be donated, it shouldn’t affect the funeral or other services. They are removed before embalming and rarely delay the memorial services.
The time required to embalm a body is typically 45 minutes to an hour.
Cavity Embalming
Embalming Costs
The cost may include two different charges. One for the actual embalming and the other is for esthetic applications.
Embalming Portion
Embalming costs can rangefrom around $200 up to $800. The lowest would be for a body in good condition without injuries.
The higher prices would be for a body that has been injured, for instance in an auto accident, where reconstruction is required. The more damage that was inflicted, the higher the cost.
It is also typically higher if the body has been autopsied. This is due to the extensive incisions that are necessary to perform the procedure.
One incision is from the breast bone down to the pelvis. There is also an incision made at the top back of the head and the skin is peeled forward, in order to reach the brain.
Aesthetics
Usually billed separately, aesthetics are normally necessary as part of the embalming procedure.
This includes washing, dressing, cosmetic applications, andplacing and positioning the body in the casket.
The cost ofaesthetics can be from $90 to $400, depending on the amount of required restoration.
Reconstruction of Damaged Face
Whether to embalm, is not something we give much thought to, during our lifetime. However, we need to know the details when that time does comein orderto arrange a loved one’s cremation.
We hope to have been helpful in that area.
The decision of whetherto embalm, can be determined if the family desires to conduct a memorial service.
However, the sole reason could be to provide comfort and closure for the family and friends and aid them in their grief.
Sometimes, the mind cannot accept the death. Therefore, it’s important to see the body, to accept that their loved one has passed and to say a final farewell.
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