Embalming
Embalming is the process of preserving a dead body, it is usually done in modern days so it can be viewed at a funeral ceremony. If embalming does not occur within a few days of a person’s death their body will start to decompose. The process involves the replacement of natural fluids by injecting preserving chemicals into the body.
Modern embalming is done to protect all people who come in contact with the body from getting viruses or infections. This is including family, friends and the funeral company staff. It is also done to greatly improve the look of the person and to help them look presentable for those seeing the person for the last time.
The process of embalming has a very long history and was started back by the Ancient Egyptians in the process of mummification. The techniques were quite different from those used today, but the effect was the same – to preserve a body after death. The ancient Egyptians believed that the spirit would return to the body after death so the body must remain in good condition. To preserve the corpse they covered the body in a drying chemical, called natron and then they wrapped them in linen cloths.
Modern embalming is done by injecting chemicals directly into the blood stream to preserve the corpse’s appearance. It came about in the American Civil War, when many soldiers died in battle far away from their families. The preserving techniques were used so the body would look as close to normal as possible for the funeral.