Embalming is a chemical process performed by licensed professionals to temporarily preserve and sanitize human remains. The primary goals are to delay decomposition and restore a natural appearance for viewing by family and friends. This procedure is also carried out to meet requirements for transporting remains over long distances. The multi-step treatment involves replacing bodily fluids with a specialized preservative solution, ensuring the body is suitable for an open-casket ceremony or safe transit.
Initial Preparation and Setting Features
The initial phase focuses on preparing the body’s exterior and setting the facial features. The remains are first thoroughly washed with a disinfecting solution to ensure sanitation. Any clothing, medical dressings, or devices like intravenous lines are carefully removed from the body.
The body is then positioned on the preparation table with the head elevated to assist with the fluid distribution that will follow. Embalmers gently massage the limbs and joints to relieve the stiffness of rigor mortis, allowing for a more natural pose. Positioning is important not only for presentation but also to ensure unobstructed circulation in the upcoming steps.
A crucial part of this stage is setting the eyes and mouth to achieve a lifelike expression. The eyes are closed, often using small, flesh-colored plastic caps placed under the eyelids to maintain a natural contour. The mouth is secured, typically by wiring the jaw shut or using sutures, ensuring the lips meet correctly.
Arterial Preservation and Fluid Circulation
The core of the preservation process is arterial embalming, using the body’s vascular system to distribute the preservative fluid. This procedure is a fluid exchange, where blood is removed and replaced by the chemical solution. The embalmer selects a main artery, such as the common carotid artery in the neck or the femoral artery in the thigh, as the injection point.
A small incision is made to access the chosen artery, and a tube called a cannula is inserted and connected to an injection machine, often a centrifugal pump. This pump introduces the embalming solution under controlled pressure, pushing it through the arterial network. Concurrently, an adjacent vein, such as the jugular or femoral vein, is opened to allow the blood and interstitial fluids to drain from the body.
The embalming fluid is a mixture that contains a high concentration of chemicals such as formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, along with humectants, dyes, and water. Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde work by chemically cross-linking the proteins in the body’s tissues, which stabilizes them and makes them resistant to degradation by bacteria.
Visceral and Cavity Treatment
The arterial injection primarily treats tissues supplied by the circulatory system but does not fully reach the contents of the large internal cavities. Therefore, a separate process is performed to preserve the viscera, the organs within the chest and abdominal cavities. This two-step process begins with aspiration, which removes fluids and gases from the trunk spaces.
A long, hollow instrument called a trocar is inserted through a small puncture, typically located near the navel, and guided into the chest and abdominal cavities. The trocar is used to puncture the hollow organs, such as the stomach and intestines, allowing their contents and any accumulated gases to be suctioned out. This removal of materials that rapidly decompose is necessary for effective preservation.
Following aspiration, the second step involves injecting a concentrated cavity fluid directly into these spaces using the trocar. This fluid is a stronger, undiluted preservative solution that treats the surfaces of the organs and the internal walls of the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The trocar is moved to ensure the fluid is distributed throughout the entire area, and the small insertion point is then sealed with a specialized trocar button or suture.
Restorative and Cosmetic Presentation
Once the chemical preservation is complete, the final phase focuses on restoring the deceased’s appearance for public viewing. All incisions made during the arterial and cavity treatments are meticulously closed, often with sutures hidden beneath clothing or in natural folds of the skin. The body is washed again, dried, and the hair is styled to match the wishes of the family or the deceased’s typical appearance.
Restorative techniques are applied to address any effects of illness or trauma that might detract from a peaceful presentation. This can involve using tissue builder compounds injected under the skin to fill out sunken areas like the temples or cheeks, or applying wax to repair minor surface wounds. The goal of these restorative arts is to recreate a natural contour and form.
Cosmetics are then carefully applied to the face and hands to restore a lifelike color, counteracting any discoloration caused by the preservation process. Specialized mortuary makeup is used to achieve a natural skin tone and subtle color, ensuring the individual appears rested and calm. Finally, the remains are dressed in clothing provided by the family before being placed into the casket for viewing.