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Our Mission
Genelyn North America was founded with a revolutionary spirit and an ambitious objective: to offer the funeral profession a line of embalming products that reduce exposure to hazardous vapours, odours, and toxicity while improving distribution, penetration, preservation and colour.
We make this possible using modern chemistry to develop a new range of embalming chemicals that do not require added methanol to stabilize the formaldehyde suspension. Our proprietary formulas stabilize formaldehyde without the need for harsh chemicals that produce toxic fumes. As a result, these products have significantly reduced exposure levels for staff. As a consequence, only a few of Genelyn’s chemicals are classified as Dangerous Goods under transport regulations, making storage and distribution easier and safer.
We aim to be North America’s most respected and trusted embalming chemical company. To do this we have created a workforce culture of equity, fair compensation, growth, training, safety, creativity and diversity.
Evolved Embalming
Through Our Constant Laboratory Experimentation And Field Trials, A New Range Of Low Fuming, Less Toxic, Non-Flammable Embalming Chemicals Has Been Developed And Is Available Globally. Extensive Testing Has Proven That Chemicals Manufactured By Genelyn North America are Equal To, And In Most Cases Far Superior To, The ‘Traditional’ Products Currently Available, Providing A Exceptional Level Of Preservation And Distribution With A Much Higher Degree Of Safety!
Low Fuming
How many times have you had to turn your head while embalming due to the fumes? With our unique chemical formula you won’t be overcome by harsh chemical vapours like products that add methanol to their mix. Methanol is one of the most common ingredients found in formaldehyde based embalming chemicals. Methanol aids in the stabilization of the formaldehyde molecule but also can create some of the common problems we combat in the preparation room.
Reduced Toxicity
Through our constant laboratory testing and field trials, a new range of less toxic non flammable embalming chemicals is finally available. Extensive testing has confirmed, beyond doubt, that the chemicals manufactured by Genelyn North America are equal to, if not far superior to, the ‘traditional’ products currently available with a much higher degree of safety.
Non Flammable
Traditional, flammable ranges of embalming chemical are considered Dangerous Goods and require Dangerous Goods declarations to be transported legally. Do to the nature of our products some of Genelyn’s embalming products are not considered Dangerous Goods.
Flammability of embalming products is a major concern in the design of the modem embalming facility. Storage of flammable chemicals presents an immediate safety risk. Genelyn greatly reduces this risk, allowing a much larger quantity of product to be stored on-site.
Advanced Chemistry
Methanol aids the in the stabilization of formaldehyde as well as helps transport the formaldehyde gas to the cells of the body. However, this is not a controlled process. The methanol doesn’t know when to stop. This can often times produce a body that can become “over firm” or “hard” to the touch and families don’t like this unnatural feel. Methanol can also create the excess graying of the tissue also because it doesn’t know when to stop.
Genelyn North America’s unique chemistry has eliminated the need to add methanol without compromising penetration, distribution or preservation of the remains. And you won’t experience excess dehydration of the tissues.
High Preservation
No matter how safe or how toxic embalming chemicals are, they have to work. Without sterilization and preservation embalming is ineffective and irrelevant. Our formulations contain all of the preservative chemicals you are used to but they are stabilized in a way that does not require the addition of methanol. The formaldehyde is there, and in many of our products there in a greater concentration than other options, so Genelyn can achieve high preservation with far less of the dangerous fumes that create a health risk to the embalmer.
More Natural Results
Families do not appreciate an over-hard loved one and many choose to forego embalming and viewing because of this. Firmness of the tissues is not an indication or confirmation of preservation and the Genelyn North America’s product line contain all of the necessary chemicals needed for proper preservation and sterilization without the ingredients that cause over-hardening. Families will appreciate the more natural appearance and feel of their loved one and will spread the word of their satisfaction.
What our Customers Say
Karl's Blog
What Does Embalming Fluid Do? Its Function and Injection Procedure
What does embalming fluid do? You are likely not an expert embalmer, which is why you are here to learn about it. There is not just one embalming fluid out
Jaundice – More than just Colour
Jaundice is and always has been a big concern for embalmers. Problematic concerns of the bilirubin turning to that tetrapyrrolic bile green pigment known as biliverdin are often at the
WHAT IS INDEX AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
As embalmers, we have used the term “index” throughout our entire careers when referring to formaldehyde-based chemicals. We refer to both arterials and cavities as 20 index, 30 index,
Consider the Need NOT your Want
Ask yourself, every time, do I REALLY know what this family wants? Meet them where THEY are, not where you want them to be.
Knowing Glutaraldehyde
As embalmers, we must know the risks to our health and the safety of those around us. We must be mindful of the volatility potential for potentially irreparable consequences of using dangerous chemicals.
COVID-19 Facts
With Universal Precautions contracting COVID-19 in the prep room is rare, but it’s important to know what you are dealing with!
Meet Our Team
Karl Wenzel
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Karl is a graduate of Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills. Karl is also a member the Board of Directors of the FNA Embalming Scholarship Fund is the Academy’s Canadian Ambassador. Karl is also the Canadian Ambassador for the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Karl received the Distinguished Professional Service award, and was an examiner for the Ontario Board of Funeral Services. He has held licenses in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta and Tennessee.
Odie Wenzel
Senior Vice President of Security
Odie Wenzel is a purebred Boxer born on August 30, 2018 in Pennsylvania, USA. He is passionate about security, treats and his red frisbee. He loves bunnies, his brother and sister, his cousins Buster & Lucy and excels at killing cedar trees. He is a Leaf’s fan and knows that they will win…someday.
Odie was expelled from the Country Day Doggie Kindergarten for bullying but they just didn’t understand his genius level intellect.
Glen Miller
Sales – Western & Southern Ontario/Toronto – East
Glen is a 3rd generation Funeral Director having grown up under the tutelage of his Father Bud Miller at Miller Funeral Chapel in Caledonia. Aspiring to obtain more experience, Glen moved to Toronto and worked as a Senior Director at Ward Funeral Home in Weston from 1990 to 1999. Glen found his time at Ward’s thoroughly rewarding however after 10 years, he was ready to embark on a new phase of his career. Wanting to remain in the industry.
Ron Downey
Sales – Western & Southern Ontario/Toronto – East
Ron’s gift to everyone he meets is empathy. A genuine interest in people and their story defines his approach to building rapport quickly. He listens because he cares, he understands because he asks the right questions and he helps because he likes to make good things happen. His forte’ is seeing opportunity in people and their businesses, even when owners or managers cannot. Ron’s career was cultivated as an account manager in large corporations, but his passion is working with funeral homes, small businesses and community agencies.
Marc Andre Sauve
Quebec Representative
He holds a thanatology Diploma from College Rosemont in 2015, He’s an active member of the British Institute of Embalmers, showcasing his commitment to the professional excellence. He made history as the first and only Quebecer to be an active member of the British Institute of Embalmers & to be published in a renowned funeral magazine, earning recognition on an international level.
Julio Lopez
Marketing & Graphic Design Manager
Julio’s interest in design started at an early age and after graduating from high school he enrolled in university earning a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising Design from the Universidad Hispanoamericana in San Jose, Costa Rica.
After university Julio combined his entrepreneurial spirit with his skills as a designer and created a line of t-shirts inspired by the “third-eye” from Eastern Philosophy called Ajna Vision. Not only did Julio create the brand, the clothing designs and shot all of the photography, he managed retail distribution and managed all of the marketing channels including all social media networks.
Kurtis Wenzel, BHSc Honours
Lab Technician/Research and Development
- Michigan USA Distributor Great Lakes Embalming LLC, PO Box 50, Fenton, MI 48430
- +1-888-850-1215
- gle@greatlakesembalming.com
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