Half scientist and half artist, embalmers provide the services needed in funeral homes by cleaning, preserving, and restoring the appearance of corpses to life. The service is a difficult and complicated procedure. Read the following article to learn more about the embalming process.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Preparing the Body
Step 1. Make sure the body is in an up or supine position
If the body is in a face down or prone position, the gravitational force will push the blood down towards the lowest parts of the body, especially the face. This can discolor and make the face bloated, making it appear that life will be more difficult.
Step 2. Take off all the clothes you are wearing
You'll need to check the skin later for signs that the embalming is working, so remove all clothing during this process. Also remove the infusion needle or catheter that is still attached.
- Usually, you will need to record all items found on the body, as well as any cuts, bruises, or other discolorations at this point in your embalming record. It is also useful in documenting procedures and the use of chemicals in the embalming process. The records serve as collateral if the family chooses to sue the funeral home for any reason.
- Always respect the corpse. Use sheets or towels to cover the genitals, and never put any tools on it while you are working. Assume the family can show up at any time.
Step 3. Clean your mouth, eyes, nose and other openings with a disinfectant
Strong disinfectants are used to clean body parts, inside and out.
Examine (cause) of death to determine the type of fluid you will need later. Some embalmers will take this opportunity to mix up all the fluids they need for the embalming procedure. Usually about 480 ml of liquid with 2 gallons of water is the proper dilution
Step 4. Shave the body
Usually, the face is shaved as you would shave yourself. Men are usually always shaved, although women and children also often need to be shaved to remove unkempt hair or fine hair on the face/chin.
Step 5. Relax the rigid rigor mortis by massaging the body
Massage major muscle groups to release tension and move stiff joints to relax. If the muscle is stiff, it will increase the extra vascular pressure, and will divert the balsam fluid from the area where it is needed.
Part 2 of 5: Organizing Body Parts
Step 1. Close the eyes of the corpse
Use really good treatments to style the eyes. The eyelids, in particular, tend to re-open, so a small piece of cotton is placed between the eyelid and the eye to close it. In some cases, a plastic eye patch is used to cover the corpse's eyes.
- The eyelids are never sutured closed, but may be glued together in some cases.
- The body parts of the body need to be adjusted before the balsam is added, because the liquid will stiffen the body, making it difficult to adjust.
Step 2. Close the mouth of the corpse and arrange it for a natural look
One of the following two methods is usually used to adjust the mouth.
- Sometimes the mouth is sutured closed using thread for surgical/wound sutures, by inserting a curved needle through the jaw under the gums, then back through the nasal septum. Avoid tying the thread too tightly to give a natural look to the jawline.
- A syringe gun is also commonly used in conjunction with a "mouth shaper". Like mouth guards or dental prosthetics, mouth shapers hold the jaws together according to the natural shape and arrangement of the jaws. In this method there is often little room for human error.
Step 3. Moisturize the body parts
A small amount of cream should be applied to the eyelids and lips to keep them from drying out, and to give a natural and lively feel.
Part 3 of 5: Embalming the Arteries
Step 1. Select the incision area
Arteries are embalmed by simultaneously introducing balsam fluid (a mixture of formaldehyde, other chemicals, and water) into the arteries as they drain blood from nearby veins or from the heart. It takes about two gallons of liquid to embalm a body.
In men, the incision is made near the center of the sternocleidomastoid and clavicle muscles. In women or people who are younger, the femoral area is the most popular
Step 2. Make an incision
Clean the vein point, make an entrance, and insert the drain tube or tube into the heart. Tie a suture thread around the bottom side of the tube.
Do the same for the arteries, except to insert the cannula instead of the drain hose. Place the cannula with pliers on the artery, locking the cannula in place. Use small locking pliers to clamp or pinch the upper side of the artery and to restrict flow
Step 3. Turn on the embalming machine and drain the liquid
While the embalming process is in progress, wash the body with an antibacterial soap and be sure to check the flow of fluids while massaging the muscles to push the blood out, and to push the balsam solution in.
As fluid enters the arteries, pressure builds up along the veins, meaning the fluid moves throughout the body. You will notice the veins are slightly "swollen". Open the jugular tube or tube periodically to let the blood out and relieve pressure
Step 4. Reduce the pressure slowly
When there is about 20% of the balsam remaining, turn off the machine and turn the cannula over to the other side of the artery you injected. This is to embalm the part that was previously covered by the cannula. Be sure to lower the pressure, as there is very little liquid left, and you definitely don't want to overdo it.
In the case of a femoral incision, turning the cannula over to the other side of the injected artery embalms the lower leg. In the case of the right carotid, it will embalm the right side of the head
Step 5. Done
When you have finished embalming, or the fluid has run out, turn off the machine, remove the cannula, and tie off the vein and artery you are using. Sew closed the incision you made. Use sealing powder to ensure there are no leaks.
Part 4 of 5: Embalming Cavities
Step 1. Use a trocar to aspirate organs
Once the arteries are clear, you need to clean the inside of the organs before bacteria and gases enter/build up and remove the cleansing fluid from the nose or mouth.
Step 2. Aspiration of the chest cavity
Insert the trocar 5 cm to the right and 5 cm above the intestine. Clean hollow organs such as stomach, pancreas, and small digestive tract.
Step 3. Lower body cavity aspiration
Remove the trocar, rotate it, and insert it into the lower body, aspirating contents from the large digestive tract, bladder, and in the case of women, uterus. The anus and vagina are sometimes inserted with cotton to prevent seepage.
Step 4. Inject cavity fluid into the body
The fluid usually contains 30% formaldehyde, and the gravity injection method is usually used to push the cavity fluid into the hollow organs, sterilizing and preserving them.
Make sure you have injected the cavity fluid in the upper and lower body organs. This step is very important to prevent the "cleaning fluid" from escaping
Step 5. Remove the trocar and cover the hole with the trocar screw. Clean the trocar and put it back in its place.
Part 5 of 5: Putting the Body in the Coffin
Step 1. Wash the body completely
Using the same disinfectant that was used before, thoroughly clean the body to remove any blood or other chemicals left behind during the embalming process. Wash gently and thoroughly in this process.
Step 2. Arrange the body parts
Use makeup to create a lively impression on the face, nails should be cut, and hair should be styled.
Step 3. Get dressed
Usually the family will choose clothes to wear in the chest. Dress appropriately and carefully.
Sometimes plastic underwear is used to protect, especially for the body that secretes fluids
Step 4. Put the body in the coffin
Arrange it well. Consult the family for advice or further instructions regarding the funeral procession.
Tips
- Make sure the body is in the desired position when you finish embalming. When the chemical liquid has worked fully, the corpse's body will "freeze" until the body decomposes again.
- Respect, respect, respect. This person once lived, and there was probably someone who loved him very much. You have been entrusted with "care" for someone you really care about. Don't let them down; they pay you dearly to do this, no matter how much money you already have!
- If certain muscles aren't getting fluid, try injecting fluids into them. That way will solve the problem well. If all else fails, inject hypodermally.
- Several eco-friendly substitutes are available for embalming, such as AARD fluid. Formaldehyde can be hazardous to groundwater.
- Embalming is not permanent. The embalmed body will appear to be in optimal condition for approximately seven days.
- Adding dye to your balm is a good way to keep track of what's drained and what's not.
Warning
- Working with the interior of the human body can expose you to hazardous materials. Make sure you dispose of disposable (disposable) items that have come into contact with the body in a special container for hazardous materials and take appropriate precautions to protect yourself.
- Formaldehyde can be a carcinogen. Take precautions to minimize exposure to these substances.
- Embalming the body is illegal if you do not have a permit, PPE (personal protective equipment) as recommended by OSHA, and permission to embalm from a family guardian.
