The fluid placed in deceased bodies is a chemical solution used in the process of embalming, which aims for temporary preservation and sanitation. This procedure prepares the body for viewing at a funeral service or for delayed final disposition, often required for transportation or legal waiting periods. The fluid slows decomposition, maintaining the body’s appearance for a short period. The specific mixture is tailored based on the individual’s condition and the planned duration of preservation.
The Chemical Composition
The composition of the modern embalming solution is complex, featuring several categories of chemicals blended with water to create an arterial solution. The most significant components are the preservatives, which chemically stop the breakdown of tissue. These are typically aldehyde compounds like formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, with formaldehyde often present in a concentration ranging from 5% to 37% in the concentrated fluid before dilution.
These aldehydes function by creating irreversible cross-links between the amino groups in the body’s proteins, a process known as fixation. This action denatures the proteins, making them unsuitable as a food source for bacteria and halting decomposition. Methanol or ethanol is commonly included to stabilize the preservative and aid in its distribution throughout the tissues.
The solution also contains modifying agents designed to control the preservatives and achieve a more natural appearance. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates formaldehyde exposure in the workplace through the Formaldehyde Standard, setting a permissible exposure limit of 0.75 parts per million as an eight-hour time-weighted average for professionals handling the chemical. These modifying agents include:
- Humectants, which help tissues retain moisture and counteract the drying effects of the aldehydes.
- Buffers, which maintain the fluid’s optimal pH level.
- Surfactants (wetting agents), which reduce the surface tension, allowing it to penetrate and diffuse more easily through the circulatory system.
- Dyes, which restore a more natural skin tone, counteracting the paleness caused by blood drainage.
The Embalming Procedure
The fluid is administered through a precise, two-part approach: arterial injection and cavity treatment. The primary goal is temporary sanitation, preservation, and cosmetic restoration for viewing. The process begins with the establishment of a circulatory route, where an artery, often the common carotid or femoral artery, is selected for injection.
The embalmer uses a mechanical pump to introduce approximately two gallons of the diluted arterial solution into the vascular system. Simultaneously, the body’s blood is drained from an adjacent vein, such as the jugular or femoral vein, replacing the circulatory contents with the chemical solution. This forces the preservation fluid to travel through the arteries and capillaries, reaching tissues throughout the body. Massaging the limbs during this process helps ensure even distribution.
Cavity Treatment
Following the arterial phase, the internal organs located in the thoracic and abdominal cavities require a separate treatment known as cavity embalming. A specialized instrument called a trocar is inserted through a small incision near the navel. The trocar is used to aspirate, or suction out, the gases and fluids found within the hollow organs. Once the contents are removed, a more concentrated cavity fluid, often a high-index formaldehyde solution, is injected into these spaces to treat the viscera directly.
Health and Environmental Safety
The handling and disposal of embalming chemicals raise health and environmental considerations. Formaldehyde is recognized as a hazardous material, and embalmers face occupational risks from fumes and skin contact. To mitigate these risks, funeral homes must utilize specialized ventilation systems to keep airborne chemical concentrations below the limits established by OSHA.
The long-term disposition of bodies prepared with these fluids also presents environmental concerns. Millions of gallons of formaldehyde-based fluid are introduced into the soil each year through traditional ground burial. Although decomposition does occur over time, there is concern that the chemicals may leach into the surrounding soil and groundwater, potentially causing contamination.
These environmental and safety concerns have led to a growing interest in alternatives to chemical embalming. Options include:
- Refrigeration, used for temporary preservation when a viewing or delayed disposition is planned.
- Green burial, which involves using biodegradable materials and foregoing embalming.
- Alkaline hydrolysis, which uses water and alkaline chemicals to reduce the body to bone fragments.
- Natural organic reduction, which transforms the body into soil.