Origins of Embalming

Embalming involves the artificial preservation of a dead human body. Modern embalming methods achieve this through the use of chemicals injected into the body to prevent decay.

Embalming can also be referred to as body preservation, temporary preservation, or thanatopraxy (French term).

This article discusses the history of embalming, how it's performed, the reasons for embalming, and some of the alternatives.

What Is Embalming?

Embalming is a process that uses chemicals to preserve a body after death. It helps delay the decomposition that begins in the hours and days after death. Today, it's typically used during open-casket services to help remove some of the physical effects of death and restore a more life-like appearance. It's also used to help preserve a body when the funeral is held days or weeks after death.

History

The earliest artificial preservation of a dead body was discovered in 5,000-year-old human bones in Spain. The bones were found covered with cinnabar (a red mineral) to keep them preserved.

Considered "one of humankind's longest practiced arts," the Egyptians originated embalming around 3200 B.C. because they believed religious resurrection could only occur for bodies that were preserved intact.

The modern practice of embalming by arterial injection is considered to have started in the 18th century in England.

The term embalming derives from the 14th-century word "embaumen," meaning "to apply balm or ointment." That word derives from an earlier Old French term, embausmer, which means to "preserve a corpse with spices."

The term "balm" (in its various historical linguistic forms) refers to an "aromatic substance made from resins and oils," such as balsam, spices, cedar, perfumes, etc. — substances often used by the ancient Egyptians and other cultures during embalming.

How Embalming Is Done

In embalming, the blood in the body is replaced with a chemical, typically formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. The blood and other bodily fluids are removed through a long hollow needle called a trocar. The preservative is injected into the cadaver's circulatory system and body cavities.

Arterial embalming only preserves the body temporarily. The goal is to give the body a life-like appearance in the days when the body will be viewed before the funeral.

Reasons for Embalming

Today, and principally in the United States and Canada, bodies of the deceased receive embalming for various reasons:

• When a family desires a funeral service with the body present in an open casket
• To provide time for family members and loved ones to travel to the deceased's funeral and/or interment
• When the body must travel a great distance for final disposition, such as when a death occurs overseas
• To temporarily preserve the corpse for medical research or anatomical study
• To comply with state or local law or a funeral home's policies

Alternatives to Embalming

Embalming with chemicals isn't the only method that can be used for body preservation. Some people prefer to use green alternatives since formaldehyde can be damaging to the environment.

Some alternatives include:

• Refrigeration: Funeral homes have mortuary refrigerators to slow decomposition for up to two to three weeks.
• Dry ice: For shorter periods of 48 to 72 hours after death, dry ice can be used to preserve the body.
• Biodegradable chemicals: Some biodegradable fluids, made of plant-based materials, may be available to use instead of formaldehyde. They can provide preservation for about five to seven days.
  

Summary

Embalming is a method to preserve a body temporarily after death. Egyptians practiced embalming around 3200 B.C. because they believed it was required for religious resurrection. Today, embalming is performed by replacing the fluids in the body with formaldehyde or another chemical.

Embalming may be done to prepare for an open-casket funeral or when the body must travel a long distance for the final burial.