There are times when a loved one dies far from home and loved ones cannot quickly come to spend their relative on their last journey. In this case, there is a way out - embalming the deceased. And today we learn what this term means, how the procedure is carried out in the morgue and at home.
Embalming the body in the morgue: what kind of event?
This is the process of impregnating the organs and tissues of a deceased person with such substances that inhibit their decomposition. Special embalming solutions are injected under pressure into the circulatory system of the corpse. And if the deceased was not opened, then the liquid is introduced through a cannula inserted into the right place.
On embalming the body takes about 6-7 liters of solution. The usual composition of the liquid used is pure formalin or diluted with alcohol in equal proportions.
Embalming the body in the morgue is the definition in the body of a corpse of substances that inhibit rotting processes. Such "conservation" of the deceased is carried out for educational, scientific, forensic purposes and, of course, for aesthetic and sanitary-hygienic reasons.
In what situations is such a procedure necessary?
Embalming the body is used in the following circumstances:
- If it is not possible to hold a funeral immediately after the death of a person.
- If you need to wait for distant relatives who are obliged to say goodbye to the deceased.
- To preserve the body for a long time in hot weather.
- If a person died away from home and needs to be transported to his native land.
- To improve the effectiveness of diagnosis in necropsy (post-mortem autopsy and examination of the body, including internal organs).
- For a funeral service in a church or temple.
Body preparation
Where does the embalming procedure begin? Of course, with the preparation of the body of the deceased, which is done as follows:
1. Put the deceased face up.
2. It is necessary to remove all clothes from the deceased. This is necessary so that the specialist monitors the skin, controls the entire embalming process. The genitals are necessarily covered with a sheet or towel.
3. Disinfection of eyes, mouth, ears, nose. This treatment helps to cleanse the body inside and out.
4. Shaving the deceased. Usually remove facial hair.
5. Removal of rigor mortis by massage. The main muscle groups are rubbed to relieve tension, and the joints are massaged so that they weaken. If this is not done, then the vascular pressure may increase, and this will definitely interfere with the embalming process.
6. It is necessary to close the dead eyes and mouth. This must be done very carefully.
7. Do not forget to apply the cream on the lips and eyelids - this will protect them from drying out, and also give naturalness.
After completing all the preparatory procedures, the specialist proceeds directly to the embalming process, and after this event the deceased should still be identified in the coffin, and how this is done correctly will be described below.
Body decomposition techniques
Embalming the body in the morgue can be carried out by four methods:
- Strip preservation of tissues of the deceased.
- Injection Savings Procedure.
- Superficial "conservation" of the corpse.
- Vascular embalming.
What procedure for embalming the deceased will suit one or another deceased, experts determine. And now let us briefly outline what are the differences and features of each of the techniques for protecting the body from decomposition.
Band embalming
Its essence lies in the processing of the internal organs of the corpse, because most quickly the processes of decay begin to occur in the peritoneum and chest. This method is divided into two subspecies:
- puncture;
- split.
In the first case, a puncture is made in the peritoneum and an antiseptic solution is poured through the hole (about one and a half to two liters). Embalming the body in the morgue using the split method is as follows: a small section is performed with penetration into the anterior translucent serous membrane directly into the cavity. This method is used in such cases:
- If you need a long transportation of the corpse, and putrefactive processes have already begun.
“If the dead man is too fat.”
Injection embalming
This method is usually used in combination with puncture. The specialist impregnates with an antiseptic solution the soft tissues of the exposed parts of the body of the deceased - face, neck and hands. He introduces a small amount of liquid and at the same time also makes a gentle massage. This is necessary so that the preservative is evenly distributed.
Superficial "canning" of a dead person
This method is understandable to many based on its name. The embalming procedure in this case is performed as follows: a special composition, as well as thanatogel, are applied to the damaged skin (wounds, decompositions). This method is the easiest and most affordable, since you do not need to pierce the body, make incisions, and inject fluid into it.
Vascular "conservation" of the body
it a very complex method that only an experienced pathologist can competently carry out. By the way, this method of saving the body is very rarely used. In this case, a special embalming solution is injected through the system of blood arteries. With this method, the body of the deceased is stored for a very long time.
Final stage
The last step is the placement of the dead in the tomb, and for this it is necessary to carry out such measures:
1. It is necessary to thoroughly wash the deceased: wash off the blood and chemical elements remaining after embalming from the body with the help of the disinfectant that was used before.
2. It is important to give the face a natural look thanks to cosmetics. You also need to cut your nails and comb your hair.
3. Putting on clothes. Usually the family of the deceased chooses what their deceased relative will be dressed in, so they bring decoration in advance.
4. Definition of the body in the coffin. Calmly and accurately, the dead person should be transferred to the tomb. If relatives make any comments and express their suggestions regarding the appearance or position of the body, then it is worthwhile to use them and do as the relatives of the deceased want.
Where is the event held?
The procedure for embalming the deceased, a photo of which can be seen in this article, is carried out in the morgue if the person got there from the hospital, or at home. However, in the latter case, relatives must have in their hands a medical report on the death of a loved one.
The procedure itself lasts from 2 to 4 hours. It is advisable to perform it no later than 12 hours after the death is established.
Embalming the body at home: why is it rarely done?
Preservation of the body of the deceased most often occurs in the morgue, and why it’s there, now we’ll figure it out.
- Since the embalming procedure is a rather specific event, not every family will agree to it at home.
- To date, there are few cases where the deceased can be left at home without sending him to the mortuary for autopsy.
- In hot weather, a funeral can be held earlier than the third day, of course, if relatives do not mind.
What will the specialist do outside the morgue?
Embalming at home is performed according to a simplified scheme - the method of conventional cavity fixation. Specifically, the specialist makes injections with a 10% formalin solution in a circle, starting from the xiphoid process of the sternum, injecting from 50 to 150 ml of fluid, depending on the location. The expert does not touch the internal organs, with the exception of the lungs. The specialist must be careful and careful not to damage the colon during embalming .
Also, a person performs plugging of the nose and oropharynx. This is necessary so that physiological fluids do not flow. A special make-up or a mask is applied to the deceased's face (it must be periodically changed until the moment of burial).
Pros and Cons of Embalming a Home
Positive points:
- The deceased is in the walls of his native house, as he wanted, and relatives all this time will be near the deceased person.
- The embalming procedure is not in the morgue suitable for those sections of the population who, by religion, are forbidden to make incisions on the body of the deceased.
- This method is suitable for the deceased, who previously suffered from liver diseases, while the vascular "conservation" of the body (replacing blood with formalin) often leads to severe changes in the face.
- If relatives want to personally monitor the progress of the specialist.
- For an expert - the safety of working with HIV-infected bodies. Since there is no direct contact with blood, the risk of transmission of this disease is significantly reduced. With this method, scalpels and other cutting objects are not used, only a needle for introducing fluid into the cavity.
- The procedure is cheaper than the similar one performed in the morgue.
Negative points:
- The term of the body’s savings reaches only 4–5 days.
- Relatives will have to change the mask on their faces, which for many will seem like a real test, however, like the whole procedure.
What things do you need to bring the relatives of the deceased to the morgue?
In order for the deceased to be brought into a “normal” form, relatives should be provided with such things for men:
- Clothing (underpants, T-shirt, socks, shirt, shoes, tie, suit, handkerchief).
- A towel.
- Soap.
- Shaver.
- Cologne.
And for deceased women we need such items:
- Clothing (underwear, stockings, nightdress, head scarf, shoes; from outerwear - dress, suit or bathrobe).
- A towel.
- Soap.
- Cologne (eau de toilette).
Event cost
The embalming procedure is not very cheap, especially if you make it in the morgue. On average, the price of "canning" the deceased at home ranges from 3,500-5,000 rubles. And such an event in the morgue costs 10,000–25,000 rubles, depending on the method chosen.
Now you know what embalming is, how this procedure is performed in the morgue, and what methods experts use to preserve the body for a long time. We found out that such an event can be done at home, by the way, it will cost much cheaper. But not every family is able to agree to embalming within the walls of their home. But be that as it may, wherever it is carried out, you still need to know: for the safety of the body, as well as in the case of the funeral of the deceased, it is necessary to carry out such an event.