Decomposition is a natural biological process beginning shortly after death, involving the breakdown of tissues by internal enzymes and microorganisms. While inevitable, this progression is significantly altered and slowed by embalming, a practice introducing chemicals to preserve the body. Embalming significantly alters this timeline.
Understanding Embalming
Embalming is a procedure designed to temporarily preserve human remains, primarily for viewing purposes or transportation. The process involves replacing bodily fluids with a preservative solution.
This solution typically contains formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, methanol, and other solvents, along with wetting agents and humectants. The embalmer injects these chemicals into the arterial system, usually through the carotid artery, while blood is drained from a vein. This arterial embalming is often followed by cavity embalming, where internal organs’ fluids are aspirated and replaced with more concentrated chemicals. The goal is to sanitize the body, restore a natural appearance, and delay decomposition.
How Embalming Alters Decomposition
Embalming alters the natural decomposition process through chemical intervention. Primary chemicals, such as formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, denature proteins within the body’s cells. This denaturing prevents cellular proteins from serving as a food source for bacteria, halting initial microbial breakdown.
These chemicals also act as disinfectants, killing bacteria and other microorganisms responsible for putrefaction. By inhibiting internal enzymatic activity (autolysis) and external microbial action, embalming significantly slows the breakdown of tissues and cellular structures. While it does not stop decomposition indefinitely, it significantly extends the time before visible decay becomes prominent.
Factors Influencing Decomposition
Even after embalming, several factors continue to influence the rate at which a body decomposes. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, play a significant role; warmer, humid environments generally accelerate decomposition, while cooler, drier conditions slow it down. The presence or absence of oxygen also impacts the process, with sealed environments often slowing decay.
The method of burial and the surrounding environment are also influential. A body interred in a sealed metal casket typically decomposes slower than one in a wooden casket due to reduced exposure to external elements and microorganisms. Soil composition, including its acidity and drainage capabilities, can further affect the timeline. The body’s initial condition, including mass and medical history, can also influence decomposition rates.
The Embalmed Body’s Journey Through Time
An embalmed body will eventually decompose, but the timeline is considerably extended compared to an unembalmed body. While an unembalmed body might skeletonize within years, an embalmed body buried in a typical casket can take 10 to 15 years to fully decompose, leaving only bones. In sealed metal caskets, this process can stretch to several decades.
Over extended periods, embalmed bodies can undergo various transformations. In dry conditions, desiccation can occur, leading to mummification where tissues dry and harden, preserving the body’s form. In moist, anaerobic environments, saponification can occur, where body fats transform into a waxy substance known as adipocere. Ultimately, regardless of embalming, all soft tissues will break down, leading to eventual skeletonization.