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Embalming is done using formalin. This is commonly known as
formaldehyde. All of the blood is drained from the body. This is
accomplished by opening an artery on the neck and another artery on the
bottom of the feet. Gravity or an electric pump removes all the blood.
There are many different formulas of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is circulated
through the body. The mortician massages the body to ensure even distribution
of the formalin. Within minutes the formalin turns the proteins into solid
structures. The embalming textbook says that the protein is converted
into an insoluable resin. Formaldehyde is used to
create the resins in paint products and industrial
sealants. When the body is stiff, it is presumed that the formaldehyde is
working. Sometimes color tinted formalin is used so that it is easier to see
that it has penetrated all the protein. The organs and body cavities are treated
differently. A big needle called a trocar is filled with a strong solution
of formaldehyde. Before that is done, the trocar is used to remove all the
body fluids from the body cavities. Then, the trocar injects the extra strong
solution of formalin into each and every body cavity. Additionally, powdered
formalin is dusted into body cavities if there has been surgery. The process
of embalming is done on a aluminum mortuary table. It is in a small room that
has sinks and waste disposal units. The mouth is swabbed with a heavy
concentration of formalin and sutured shut. The eyes are swabbed with the
same concentration and covered with eye cups if desired. Scientists have
experimented with radiation to preserve bodies in case of a national emergency.
Freeze drying has been used, but is not commonly available. Freeze dried
corpses are very, very light weight. A company in Arizona is embalming people
the Egyptian way. That consists of envicerating the organs, swabbing the body
with oils and herbs, piling natron on the body and organs until they dessicate.
This normally takes about 70 days. Natron is a naturally occuring salt that
removes the fluids in the body. When the body is dehydrated, the body is
wrapped with linen. The linen is soaked in gum and when dry it forms a barrier
to water and germs.
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