Embalming Terminology

Arterial embalming

The use of the blood vascular system of the body for temporary preservation, disinfection and restoration; accomplished through injection of embalming solutions into the arteries and drainage from the veins.

Balsamic substance

A fragrant, oily, and resinous exudate combined from various trees and plants that acts as a natural agent to inhibit or slow down the growth of bacteria.

Case report (embalming report)

Detailed listing of body conditions and treatments performed by funeral personnel for all bodies received into a facility for preparation.

Cavity embalming

Direct treatment of the contents of the body cavities and the lumina of the hollow viscera; usually accomplished by aspiration and injection of chemicals using a trocar.

Decay

Decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria.

Imprinting

The process by which constant exposure to a living person creates a permanent mental photograph or body image in the minds of their loved ones.

Decomposition

Separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes.

Disinfection

Destruction and/or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body.

Embalming

Process of chemically treating human remains to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to temporarily inhibit organic decomposition, and to restore and acceptable physical appearance.

Human remains

Body of a deceased person, can include cremated remains.

Hypodermic injection

Injection of embalming chemicals directly into the tissues through the use of a syringe and needle or a trocar.

Restoration

Treatment of the deceased in the attempt to recreate natural form and color.

Preservation

The science of treating the dead human body chemically so as to temporary inhibit decomposition.

Sanitation

A process to promote and establish conditions that minimize or eliminate biohazards.

Stabilize

To prevent unwanted alteration of a physical state. Slowing the onset of the changes of decomposition.

Surface embalming

Direct contact of body tissues with embalming chemicals.

Temporary preservation

Slows organic decomposition for a time at least until the final disposition of the body.

Transfer of remains

See the moving of the dead human body from the place of death to the funeral establishment or other designated place.

Concurrent disinfection

Disinfection carried out during the embalming process.

Primary disinfection

Disinfection carried prior to the embalming process.

Arterial tube (cannula)

Instrument used to inject embalming fluid into the vascular system.

Aspiration

Removal of gas, fluids, and semi-solids from body cavities and hollow viscera by means of suction with an aspirator or trocar.

Trocar

Sharply-pointed aspirating instrument used in cavity embalming to remove gases, liquids, and semi-solids from the body cavities and hollow organs and inject cavity fluid.

Embalming analysis

Process used to evaluate postmortem body conditions.

Hollow organs, solid organs

The trocar pierces the ___ to withdraw the contents and the ___ to drain accumulated fluids.

Evolution injector

The bottle of cavity fluid is directly attached to the trocar for injection.

Cavity fluid injector

Reaches the trocar by a length of tubing.

Embalming Authorization

Provides permission for embalming the body and indemnification of the funeral home.

Authorization for Restorative and Cosmetic Care

Gives necessary permission when extensive or operative restoration work may be necessary in the preparation of the body.

Authorization for Minimum Care Services

Authorizes minimum care when embalming is not requested.

Minimum Care Authorization When Embalming is Declined

Authorizes minimum care of the body.

Authorization to Prepare Donation Cases for Viewing

Used when a funeral facilities prepared a body where organs and/or tissues have been donated.

Green Funeral Release and Indemnification

Gives direction for disposition of the dead human body when a green burial is requested.

Identification of Remains of the Decedent

Verifies the identification of a decedent.

Trauma Viewing Without Embalming

Used when the funeral home advises against viewing the body due to severe conditions such as trauma, fire, or decomposition, but the family wishes to view.

Attention Funeral Director

A form for bodies being shipped to another funeral facility.

Decedent Care Report

This form must be completed in lieu of an embalming report for each deceased human body brought into the care of a funeral or an embalming facility.

Embalming Report

This form must be completed for each deceased human body brought into a funeral or an embalming facility for the purpose of embalming.

Putrefaction

Decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes from anaerobic bacteria.

Substrate

A substance acted upon, as by an enzyme in the living organism, or embalming chemicals in preserving the dead body.

Biohazard

Biological agent or situation that constitutes a hazard to humans.

Biohazardous waste

Any potentially infective, contaminated waste that constitutes a hazard to humans in the workplace.

Bloodborne pathogen

Microorganism present in human blood that can cause disease in humans.

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

OSHA mandate regulating the employee’s exposure to blood and other body fluids.

Communicable disease

Disease that may be transmitted either directly or indirectly between individuals by an infectious agent.

Engineering controls

Mechanical systems and devices of a facility designed to minimize exposure to occupational hazards.

Exposure control plan

A written document that outlines how an organization will protect its workers from health hazards, most commonly bloodborne pathogens.

Hazard Communication Standard

Regulation that deals with identifying and limiting exposure to hazardous chemicals within the workplace.

Hepatitis B

Infectious bloodborne virus.

Occupational exposure

Reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral, contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of a worker’s duties.

Other Potentially Infectious Material

OPIM is an acronym for:

Occupational Safety and Health Act or Administration

OSHA is an acronym for:

Universal precautions

An approach to infection control in which all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious.

Work practice controls

Procedures that reduce the likelihood of exposure to a hazard by altering the manner in which a task is performed.

Closed drainage system

Procedure that limits expose to drainage by attaching tubing to a drain tube allowing drainage to flow directly from a vein into a sanitary disposal system.

Drench shower

OSHA required safety device for a release of a copious amount of water in a short time.

Contaminated sharps

Any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including needles, scalpels, broken glass, and exposed ends of wires.

Globally Harmonized System

What is GHS?

Eyewash station

OSHA required emergency safety device providing a steady stream of water for flushing the eye.

Parts Per Million

What is ppm?

Sharps container

OSHA required, puncture-resistant, leak-proof receptacle for proper disposal of sharp objects.

Hazardous material

Agent exposing one to risk.

Formaldehyde

Colorless, strong-smelling gas that, when used in solution, is a powerful preservative and disinfectant; a known carcinogen.

Formaldehyde Standard

OSHA regulation limiting the amount of occupational exposure to formaldehyde.

Permissible exposure limit

0.75 ppm of formaldehyde present over an 8-hour time weighted average.

Short term exposure limit

2 ppm of formaldehyde present over a 15-minute time weighted average.

Action level

Concentration of 0.5 ppm of formaldehyde calculated as an 8-hour TWA concentration as defined by OSHA.