Embalming has been practiced as a form a body preservation for thousands of years. Modern embalming became popular during the Civil War as a means to transport fallen soldiers back to their home states for home burials. Embalming has remained a constant in our culture today, although it is gradually become less popular due to high costs and environmental impact. As with all things in the funeral industry, there are many pros and cons to embalming, as well as alternative options to traditional embalming.
Traditional Embalming
As briefly described, embalming is a form a body preservation to delay the natural decomposition process after death. The process of embalming involves removing bodily fluids and replacing them with preservation chemicals, namely formaldehyde. Embalming is most conveniently used in the modern day for funerals that are more than three days after death, or to transport a body to a different state. Bodies are also embalmed for the viewing of someone who may have had a prolonged or traumatic death. Some people have their loved ones embalmed after death simply because it is part of the western tradition to embalm bodies, even if it is unnecessary. Some cultures have prolonged funerals and wakes, and in these instances, embalming is often essential. For these reasons, embalming does have its place in the funeral industry as it expands a family’s options as to when they can hold the funeral, where they can hold the funeral, and if they can hold a viewing.
Embalming does have its downside largely because of the heavy costs that it adds to a funeral, and because of the dangerous chemicals that are used in the embalming process. Embalming can be a costly option in funeral planning, and it can easily add hundreds of dollars to funeral costs. Furthermore, embalming is often unnecessary, so it is an option that can be removed if you are trying to keep it economical. Beyond the chemicals being bad for the environment they can also be bad for the embalmer. Formaldehyde is one of the most dangerous chemicals, and it has been known to cause cancer in those who work with it often. For this reason, embalmers must wear heavy protective gear and use respiration masks. In fact, formaldehyde is released into the atmosphere if an embalmed body is cremated, and it remains in the air for up to 250 days. It can then be rained down onto plants and animals and cause considerable harm. Because of this, many people are choosing other body preservation methods instead of traditional embalming, or they are opting for green embalming.
Green Embalming
Green embalming is fairly unknown, but it is a viable alternative to traditional embalming. Although green embalming does not preserve a body as long as traditional embalming does, it will still preserve the body for about a week and give the family time to make funeral preparations. Green embalming is carried out using similar methods as traditional embalming, except that the embalming fluid being used is quite different. Rather than using harmful chemicals, green embalming fluid is composed of plant-based essential oils that still preserve the body. The major advantage to this greener method is that it is far safer for the embalmer and the environment, and in some cases can cost less.
The other ecofriendly option would be to choose to not embalm the body at all. There are other methods that will preserve the body for up to a week and help the family save money and reduce impact on the environment. Refrigeration is the most popular option as it preserves the body well by slowing the natural decomposition process. Dry ice can also be used to preserve a body, and this method is often used when transporting bodies. Perhaps the most natural option is to have a speedy funeral and allow the body to decompose in its natural way, but for many valid reasons, families often choose not to do this.
Embalming has been a popular practice in western culture for a long time as it gives a family more options after the death of a loved one. Embalming allows for the transportation of bodies, extension of funerals, and ease of mind during viewings. For these reasons, many people choose to embalm a loved one after death. However, embalming has its monetary and environmental costs, some of which green embalming can remedy. Green embalming is a safer, viable alternative to traditional embalming, especially if the family does not want to use other preservation methods.
Blog Resources
https://www.everplans.com/articles/the-embalming-process-explicit
https://funerals.org/?consumers=embalming-what-you-should-know
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/24/embalmer-for-14-years-ask-me-anything