Modern Embalming
** WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENTS**
Distinct and powerful in odor, a typical embalming room has an acrid smell similar to a high school dissection lab. In United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have deemed most forms of formaldehyde used in embalming an occupational carcinogen. Due to the decreased sensitivity to chemicals, symptoms of runny nose, itchy throat or eyes means embalmers often do not realize the degree of exposure to toxic chemicals.
Exposures can lead to brain, colon, kidney and various other forms of cancer.
Embalming requires such chemicals and supplies such as embalming and cavity fluids, sealing compound, superglue, hypodermic needles, forceps, scalpels, and a clean hose. Since most pathogens can survive for long periods past the host’s death, special care is taken to prevent any disease to the embalmer. The first step involves prevention of leakage by stuffing of cotton or “A/V closures” -A for anus -V for vagina which effectively seal off all cavities. A suture is performed on the jaw to keep the mouth closed, sometimes for women with large breasts; a binding is done with stitching to allow for a more natural look (and also to hold arms closer to the body).
To set the eyes, cement and eye caps are used to hold them in place, the eye caps have hook features, which prevent the eyelids from opening once it is closed. Disinfectant is thoroughly used in all cavities including the eyes and mouth.
A “muscular suture” is performed with a gun similar to a nail gun, which penetrates the upper and lower jawbones with a loud audible crunch of the bones; the wiring attached effectively seals off the mouth.
Once the pre-embalming is complete, the actual preservation begins with an arterial injection; blood in the circulatory system is drained and replaced with liquid preservative.
The preferred injection site is the carotid artery, which sits on the right side of the neck near the collarbone; the artery is pulled out of the skin via surgery hook and cut. Once the blood is fully drained the replacing of the fluids can begin. In this particular case, or if the arteries are too thin, additional arteries in the legs and arms must be cut, with limbs raised to drain blood through additional arteries; extending the risk of blood splatter and pathogens escaping.
Blood is drained, dark spots indicate naturally occuring clots after the body has deceased.
Arms and legs are massaged to encourage blood flow. The process takes approximately twenty minutes to remove 3 liters of blood from the body.
Once the dark color of the hose brightens, it is a sign that blood has been replaced by lighter embalming fluids.
Injection of fluids.
This preservative can be tinted with various shades to simulate blood and therefore producing a more pleasing skin tone. The deceased weight is calculated for an exact pressure of fluids being pushed into the body.
Stitching.
The arteries are sealed off with a stitch, the entry cuts are also stitched up in a baseball like manner.
Once the blood is replaced with preservatives, the cavity injection begins.
Billions of bacteria reside and thrive on the internal cavities. For thousands of years this procedure was commonly called “ripping the corpse”, in which all visceral organs are removed and replaced with spices, grain alcohol and other items thought to preserve the body.
Today’s embalmers essentially siphon abdominal contaminants through what is a trocar, a narrow two to three foot long tube that punctures the stomach, connects to an aspirator and sucks out all contaminants. The embalmer crates one puncture into the abdomen and subsequently punches through the inner abdominal wall to reach the heart, lungs, stomach, colon, liver, intestines and bladder. A smaller trocar can also be used to perform aspiration through the nose into the brain. The fluid that is used to fill the body cavity contains formaldehyde and phenol. The trocar is detached from the aspirator and connected to a bottle, which unlike the artery fluids is undiluted and much stronger.
Arms and legs are massaged to encourage blood flow.
In many modern funeral homes, blood and excess chemicals are flushed directly into the city’s sewer system.
The embalming is essentially completed, the rest of the procedure is cosmetic.
These involve washings, makeup and hair drying; as well as ensuring no further leakage of bodily fluid.
Instructions for tying ties.
Despite much of the process of embalming is done for the living (I do not question we have a necessity for closure), but we as the living must also realize its invasive nature both environmentally and for those who hold such hazardous occupations.