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 there. Several types of fluid with different compositions, indexes, and potencies are available. We also provide these fluids, but ours are less toxic and less risky for embalmers.
But what do these fluids do, and how do they work?
These fluids are used to preserve a freshly deceased person from decaying.
Some embalmers are unaware of how these fluids work to prevent tissue decay.
I provided this information here to ensure you understand how the embalming process is completed and why an embalmed body’s decomposition is dramatically slowed.
Embalming and Arterial fluids
Embalming is a process of preserving a deceased body from decaying. This is often done in funeral homes to delay the natural decomposition process and restore a natural appearance for visitation and viewing.
This process requires entering preservative fluid into the body for better effectiveness and deep penetration. This also helps protect internal body parts. The fluids used for this are called embalming fluids or arterial fluids.
Embalming fluids are not universal, but they follow a set of guidelines. Various companies have their own fluids, most of which contain common ingredients. These mostly include:
- Formaldehyde
- Glutaraldehyde
- Methanol
- Ethanol
Keep in mind that embalming is dangerous for practitioners and poses a health risk. But we provide safe and less toxic fluids without added methanol. An embalming fluid is added to the arterial system to ensure thorough penetration and flow.
What does embalming fluid do?
It works as a preservative agent to keep the body still and safe from decaying so that it can be viewed at a funeral. The fluid also helps protect organs and prevent internal decaying. An expert embalmer deals with these fluids due to the health risks and knowledge required for embalming a body carefully.
Here’s what does embalming fluid do:
- Preserve the body’s natural tone
- Maintain the natural colour and texture of the skin
- Prevent body odour
- Denature cellular proteins and save them from bacteria
- Prevent microorganism growth
The denaturing is what an embalming fluid primarily does. This helps stop protein from becoming the nutrient source for bacteria.
Embalming fluid is made of preservative chemicals that ensure the long-term preservation of tissues and disinfectants to kill bacteria. It also contains chemicals that stop the growth of bacteria and fungi. To a certain extent, it helps remove or reduce body odour.
The quantity of fluid used depends on your needs. For funeral viewing, a smaller amount is used to preserve a natural appearance until burial. However, for long-term preservation, the quantity will be higher.
Interestingly, some cases have been reported where individuals smoked embalming fluid to get high. Smoking embalming fluid can cause hallucinogenic effects and respiratory failure. This may provide some of the desired effects, which is rare, but this practice is highly dangerous.
Embalming process
This procedure requires expert knowledge. Prior experience or directions from an expert embalmer are key requirements. The process can be divided into four steps:
Pre-care: Embalmers place the body on the specialized table and remove clothing. They always wash the body for thorough cleaning. Any accessories like jewelry are removed in this step. In some cases, a massage of the limbs is required for proper positioning.
Preparing the body: This includes actual preparation, which removes fluids and blood from the body to allow arterial fluid (embalming fluid) insertion. An expert embalmer cuts the carotid or femoral artery to allow blood drainage.
Arterial Injection: This is the main step where arterial fluid is added to the body. The embalmer makes an incision into the main artery and enters a tube there. The preservative fluid enters the whole body through that tube. For body cavity treatment, fluids and gases are removed from the cavity with a trocar and replaced with embalming fluid.
Post-embalming tasks: This includes thoroughly washing the body, often with a germicidal soap, to remove residues and prepare it for viewing. Dressing the body takes place in this step.
If some areas are not well-preserved or the fluid does not reach certain arteries, a hypodermic needle is used to inject the fluid directly into the tissues.
If not embalmed, a dead body will start decomposing after 24 hours.
Which embalming fluid should you buy?
Embalming or arterial fluids pose several health risks for embalmers. Formaldehyde, which is present in almost all arterial fluids, is carcinogenic (causing cancer). Our bodies also produce it, but only in a very small amount, which is not dangerous. However, it is the main ingredient in embalming fluids.
Some other chemicals are also dangerous for health. Some can be inhaled, while some can enter the body through skin pores. So, embalmers need proper protection, wearing the right clothing, and following guidelines to reduce the risk.
Still, many embalmers experience health issues such as eye redness and asthma attacks.
If you are seriously concerned about these issues, we can help. MyGenelyn is a reputable provider of arterial fluids.
Our experts do not use old-school formulas to create these fluids. Our chemicals follow modern chemistry practices that are proven effective and less hazardous for embalmers.
Our arterial fluids do not need harsh chemicals to stabilize formaldehyde. Our formula reduces hazardous vapours and chemicals while improving penetration and overall quality.
Another good thing is that embalming fluids, in general, are highly flammable, but our fluids are not.
Our chemicals ensure long-lasting preservation, make the body soft and the limbs movable, and prevent odour.
So, consider your requirements and grab the fluid that best suits your needs!
Licensed Embalmer and Expert Funeral Service Practitioner
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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.
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