What is embalming?

By: William Spence
Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Modern day embalming is the process of introducing an organic aldehyde solution into the deceased body, mainly through the circulatory system. The embalmer enters the arterial system and injects the embalming solution using a machine that replaces the function of a beating heart. The fluid flows throughout the body as blood would normally flow. Embalming helps to restore the deceased to an appearance maintained before illness, to preserve the body for the purpose of viewing and ceremonial rites, and to render the body safe of contagious disease. By evaluating the condition of the deceased body and the circumstances causing death, a skilled embalmer is able to determine the best embalming methods in order to achieve optimal outcomes for the deceased, their family, and the community.

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