[WARNING: Contains disturbing images] Okay – this is a fairly morbid topic but a very interesting one. The 5 stages embalming process is not required by law in many nations, yet it is often performed to give grieving families peace of mind. An embalmer bears the solemn responsibility of ensuring that loved ones leave behind a dignified final image. Below are the five essential steps that make up the embalming journey.
5 stages embalming – Pre‑Embalming
Any hour of the day or night, a funeral professional may be summoned to answer the call. People tend to pass away at the most inconvenient moments, meaning morticians often rise at 1 a.m. or work through holidays.
Once the family, physician, and possibly the medical examiner grant permission, the embalmer retrieves the body, completes the necessary paperwork, and transports it to the funeral home. If embalming is requested or mandated, the preparation begins immediately.
An embalming report is completed, cataloguing every piece of jewelry and personal item, noting any discolorations, cuts, bruises, and documenting the chemicals and procedures used. This record can become crucial if a family ever initiates legal action against the funeral home.
All clothing, bandages, IV lines, catheters, and similar items are stripped away. A potent disinfectant spray cleans the skin, eyes, mouth, and other openings. If rigor mortis has set in, the embalmer gently moves limbs and massages muscles to relieve stiffness. Men are typically shaved at this stage, and even women and children have the fine “peach fuzz” removed to prevent makeup from clinging to stray hairs.
Feature Setting
The next phase involves positioning facial features and the entire body exactly as they will appear in the casket. This occurs before arterial embalming because the formaldehyde will later lock the body into place.
Special care is taken to close the eyes. Traditionally, a small piece of cotton is tucked between the eyelid and eye. When eyes sink back into their sockets, tiny plastic “eye caps” are placed over each eyeball, with a dab of stay‑creme to keep the lids from drying. Contrary to myth, eyelids are never sewn shut, though sometimes a gentle glue may be used to keep them together.
The mouth is sealed either by threading a suture string through the jaw and nostrils or by using a specialized injector gun. The suture method involves passing a curved needle beneath the gums, through the upper jaw, into one nostril, across the nasal septum to the opposite nostril, and back into the mouth, where the ends are tied loosely for a natural look.
To perfect the mouth closure, a mouth former—similar to an eyecap but shaped for lips—is often employed. A thin layer of stay‑creme keeps the lips hydrated, and sometimes a small amount of mastic compound (a caulk‑like paste) is applied inside the mouth to give it a pleasing shape.
Arterial Embalming
Arterial embalming begins by injecting embalming fluid into a major artery while simultaneously draining blood from a nearby vein or directly from the heart. Roughly two gallons of a formaldehyde‑based solution mixed with water are used. In cases involving certain cancers, diabetes, or drug use that accelerates decay, a stronger, “waterless” formula may be employed for superior preservation. Additional chemicals can also be administered via syringe into specific areas.
As the fluid courses through the arterial network, pressure builds throughout the vascular system, allowing the solution to permeate every tissue. This pressure causes veins to bulge visibly. Periodically, the jugular drain tube is opened to release excess blood and prevent over‑pressurization, which could otherwise cause swelling. The expelled blood travels straight into the sewer system—an unglamorous but necessary part of the process.
When the arterial injection is complete, both the arterial and jugular tubes are removed, the vessels are tied off, and the incision used to access them is sutured and sealed with a special chemical.
Cavity Embalming
While arterial fluids treat skin, muscle, and organs, the contents inside those organs—urine, bile, and other fluids—begin to decompose, producing gases and bacteria that cause swelling, odor, and even purge (imagine brown fluids unexpectedly emerging from the mouth, not exactly the memory families cherish). These microbes can spread throughout the body, leading to further decomposition and potential legal headaches for the funeral home.
Cavity treatment starts by aspirating fluids from the abdomen and thoracic cavities using a trocar. The embalmer punctures the stomach, bladder, large intestines, and lungs, withdrawing gas and liquids before injecting a stronger “cavity fluid” (a concentrated formaldehyde mix) into the torso. The anus and vagina may be packed with cotton or gauze to prevent seepage, and a snug plastic garment can be employed when needed.
These steps apply only to bodies that have not undergone autopsy. If an autopsy occurs, all internal organs are removed, examined, and either returned or incinerated. At the funeral home, the mortician places the viscera in a “viscera bag” to soak in cavity chemicals. The cavities are then aspirated with a specialized instrument, coated with embalming gel or powder, and the treated organs are either returned to the body or placed in the bag at the foot of the casket—so never, ever admire a deceased’s shoes!
Post‑Embalming
The body and hair receive one final wash to strip away any remaining blood or chemicals, followed by thorough drying. Any necessary restorations—rebuilding features, masking sores, or covering abrasions—are performed now. Makeup is applied to the face, neck, and hands, using either a translucent shade for normal skin or an opaque one for discoloration, always aiming for a subtle, natural look to avoid turning Uncle Roger into Aunt Rose. Fingernails are trimmed, and the hair is styled by the embalmer or a professional barber.
The remains are dressed in the attire selected by the family, typically including underwear, shoes, and socks. In cases involving autopsy or other complications, plastic undergarments are used to prevent leakage.
The final act is casketing: the body is placed into the casket and positioned correctly. The family usually views the body at this stage and may request adjustments. During the viewing period—sometimes lasting several days—the embalmer periodically checks for signs of decomposition and makes any necessary corrections.
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