Funeral 411TM
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Embalming
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic:
- do I have to be embalmed?
- is embalming required if the body will cross state lines?
- do you really take the blood out?
- State laws do not require embalming; instead, most states allow funeral homes to set their own policy regarding embalming. In this case, most funeral homes' policy says that if you're planning to have visiting hours with the casket open to the public, the body must be embalmed. This does however, differ from state to state. Oregon, for example, has laws that stipulate a body does not have to embalmed even for open casket viewing to the public; the limitation is that if unembalmed, the body must be kept under refrigeration while in the funeral home's care and can only be out of those cooler temperatures for no more than six hours. Every funeral home should be aware of their state's laws but check with a couple to make sure you get an accurate answer. If they don't agree, call your state department of health or similar department, which regulates funeral homes. This office knows the law because it's their job to enforce it. Visit our reference page, State Depts, to find the contact information for your state.
- There's no law that a body has to be embalmed to cross state lines. The information in the column to the right explains a little more about this.
- The embalming process does not take the blood out and then put embalming fluid in. Think of the circulatory system like a long hose. You've run water through it but you turn the water off. There's still water left in the hose. Now let's say you hook the hose up to a different water outlet that has green water in it. When you turn the water on, the green water is not going to come out immediately; the water that was left in it when you turned it off previously will come out first. It will only come out though when you turn on the green water and the green water pushes the clear water out. This is what happens with embalming. The embalming fluid is put into the circulatory system through an incision in an artery and as the embalming fluid goes in (with the help of a electrical "pump"), it pushes the blood out and replaces it.
With the growing concern about formaldehyde, people are looking for products of everything from nail polish to plastics that are now free of it. Many funeral directors are also responding by using non-formaldeyde embalming products.
Alternatives to embalming
Some people have religious beliefs that prohibit embalming; some people have personal convictions against embalming for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reason, there are a few other ways to slow down the decomposition process. One is by keeping the body in cooler temperatures. This is most often done through what is called "refrigeration." Many funeral homes have a unit for doing this on their premises. In some states, where laws stress refrigeration as an alternative to embalming, almost every funeral home has one.Another option frequently used is that of dry ice. This is frequently used when a body is being transported from one to place to another and is not embalmed, either for religious or other reasons. Some groups who advise people on how to care for your loved one for services in your home without embalming, advise the use of dry ice. Please know that dry ice can do serious damage (similar to a burn) to human skin so be sure to wear cloth or leather gloves or use a towel when handling it. When placed near the deceased's body, it should be wrapped in something that is NOT airtight, such as paper bags.
If you have a preference to not have formaldehyde-based chemicals used, ask the funeral director. Many embalmers are now using formaldehyde-free substances.
