Embalming Study Guide

Etymology of "Embalming"

• The word "embalm" originates from Old French "embaumer".
• This is a combination of "em-" (meaning "in") and "baume" (meaning "balm" or "basme").
• "Baume" is a variant of "basme".
• Middle English adopted the word "embaumer".
• The modern English word "embalm" signifies the process of preserving a body.

Legal Definition of Embalming

• Embalming is the chemical treatment of a dead body to reduce microorganisms and inhibit decomposition.
• The treatment aims to restore an acceptable physical appearance.
• The process prevents natural bodily decay.

Embalmer Preparedness

• Embalmers require a thorough education in history, chemistry, anatomy, microbiology and ethics.
• Preparedness also includes knowledge of occupational hazards, regulatory compliance, pathology, and other business law standards.
• Ethical standards include ethics, general psychology, and thanatology.

Reasons for Embalming

• Disinfection: Destroying or inhibiting pathogenic organisms and their byproducts.
• Preservation: A chemical treatment to stop decomposition.
• Restoration: Improving the appearance of the deceased.

Legislative Intent

• Public trust in the safety and well-being of the deceased.
• Embalmment's respect for the body and family involvement.
• Expertise and qualification of the embalmer.
• State regulations governing embalming practices.

Social/Psychological Considerations

• Throughout history, every culture/civilization believes in the importance of proper care and treatment of the departed.
• Caring for the dead is deemed a fundamental virtue across cultures and beliefs.

Famous Quote/Perspective

• William E. Gladstone viewed how a nation or community treats its dead as a window into society's moral character.

Consequences of Neglect

• Historically, neglecting the dead has contributed to the downfall of cultures or communities.
• This can be observed, for example, in significant historical events such as the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Rituals and Ceremonies

• The release of a body from a loved one's care involves various procedures.
• Funeral arrangements, religious ceremonies to acknowledge and celebrate the departed's life, personal preparation, travel time and financial concerns may all need to be addressed.

Ethical Standards

• Ethical Practice: Ethical principles guide embalming practices, fostering harmony.
• Judicious Counsel: Embalmers provide professional opinions about suitable expectations for the family.
• Confidentiality: Embalmers are respectful of individuals' privacy and maintain sensitive data.
• Body Donation, Organ Donation, Autopsy: The funeral director/embalmer remains neutral and respectful of choices.
• False Representation: Embalmers must not aid or abet any person claiming to be licensed when they are not and must not claim a license until they hold one.

Additional Ethical Considerations

• Defamation of others: Never attempt to damage a colleague or other competitor.
• Enticement: Don't attempt to entice an embalmer from one firm to another in order to harm that company.
• Accommodation: Meet the family's needs to view their loved one.
• Identification: Double-check the proper identification of the deceased.

Professional Conduct

• Compliance with local, state and federal laws & regulations is necessary.
• Embalmers must be proficient in their skill.
• Health & sanitation standards must be maintained, ensuring an uncontaminated environment, safe handling of the deceased and safe shelter of the remains.

Proper Care and Documentation

• Document all procedures regarding the deceased.
• Keep detailed records of the entire embalming process.
• Double check the documentation process and the chain of custody.

Classification of Embalming

• Vascular embalming: Chemicals injected into the arteries, and draining from the veins.
• Surface embalming: Direct contact of the embalming chemicals with the body tissues.
• Hypodermic embalming: Injection of chemicals into the tissues using a needle.
• Cavity embalming: Treating internal body cavities and the hollow organs by aspiration or injection.
• Anatomical embalming: A method used in medical studies that involves injecting one vessel and keeping up the fluid so as to do no damage to the internal structure.

Disinfection

• Killing or inhibiting pathogens in or on the body.
• Ensuring the embalming process addresses and kills any pathogenic organic matter, and their products.

Preservation

• A chemical treatment that is used in an attempt to arrest and stop decomposition.
• Utilizing chemicals and steps of the embalming process to inhibit the process of decomposition.

Embalming Orientation

• Proper preparation areas in the funeral home must be clearly identified and accessible only to authorized personnel.
• Security measures must be implemented to ensure the protection of personal information and privacy.

Respect for the Deceased

• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism during the entirety of the embalming process.
• Show proper reverence and respectfulness to the deceased and their family.
• Adhere to company policy and state regulations.

Minimum Standards

• Meeting minimum standards for grooming, clothing and body preparation.
• Proper handling of equipment and maintaining a sanitary environment.

Legal Considerations

• Authorization: Clear procedures are needed for obtaining the authorization to embalm.
• This authorization/permission may be granted verbally or in writing. Legal documents need to be secured.
• Additional Procedures: Embalming is broader than the primary procedure, and the embalmer's role may extend to specific procedures such as the retrieval, disposal and restoration of medical devices, as well as the handling of unembalmed remains and releases of accountability.

Identification of the Deceased

• Confirming identification of the deceased prior to transfer, embalming, cremation or burial.

Embalming Report

• A comprehensive report is needed for each body that enters the funeral home. This report includes extensive detail and needs to be adhered to in the process.

Sanitation

• Maintaining sanitary conditions to minimize negative factors.
• Sanitation involves the promotion and enforcement of sanitary conditions in the embalming process to ensure a pristine procedure.

Personal Protection

• Utilizing proper protective gear is essential in the embalming process. This includes gloves, gowns, face masks and other protective clothing items.

Modes of Disinfection

• Primary disinfection: Prior to the embalming process, a disinfection procedure is carried out.
• Concurrent disinfection: This disinfection is concurrent with the embalming process.
• Terminal disinfection: Performed after the embalming process, this disinfection is part of final preparations for the body.

Environmental Protection

• Bathing and external disinfection of the body.
• Disinfecting all external body orifices is also essential.
• Ensuring a thorough embalming process.

Clothing Disposal

• Clothing items that come into contact with bodily fluids or remain soiled must be laundered or disposed of properly as biohazardous waste.

Waste Disposal

• A thorough protocol for disposing of materials from the embalming procedure must be in place.
• All materials need to be removed properly.

Legal Compliance

• Maintaining complete compliance with state, local and federal laws and regulations. This ensures the procedure and work environment is compliant with health & safety standards and all regulatory measures.

Cause of Death

• The specific condition or injury that led to the death.
• Specific information regarding the cause and manner of death must be recorded.