EMBALMING MIDTERM

American Board of Funeral Service Education

The agency charged with developing curriculum and accreditation standards for funeral service education programs in the United States.

Babylonians

Culture associated with the practice of immersing the body of the dead in earthen jars filled with honey or wax.

Canopic Jars

Used by the Egyptians: four jars, usually made of alabaster, limestone, clay, or basalt, whose tops were surmounted by the images of the four children of Horus. Each held a specific portion of the viscera of the deceased.

Edwin Chadwick

English investigator of mass corruption in regards to English burial practices who recommended that cemeteries be municipalized and that religious rites be simplified and standardized in 1842.

Effluvia

an unpleasant smell from harmful vapors or gas/fumes usually given off by waste or decaying matter such as a dead human body.

Circle of Necessity

In Egyptian culture, the journey to the Sun and back which required 3,000 years to complete. This belief created the need for embalming.

Joseph Henry Clarke

Founded Clarke School of Embalming at Cincinnati, 1882 (Now Cincinnati College). Author and holder of several patents.

Jean N. Gannal

French chemist who developed early embalming methods including injection through the carotid arteries. Author of History of Embalming.

J. Anthony Gaussardia

patented process of embalming involving the injection of an arsenic-alcohol mixture.

Richard Harlan

Responsible for bringing the European embalming techniques to the United States.

Dr. William Harvey

Discovered the circulation of blood.

Dr. Thomas Holmes

“Father of Modern Embalming in the United States”

John Hunter

Scottish anatomist credited with the discovery of “Hunters Canal”.

August Hoffman

Credited with the discovery of the chemical formaldehyde.

International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards

The agency responsible for the production, administration, and integrity of the National Board Examination. Also referred to as “The Conference”.

Anton von Leeuwenhoek

Inventor of the microscope -“Father of Microbiology” (Father of Bacteriology)

Marcello Malpighi

“Father of Histology”, the study of tissues.

Natron

a salt obtained from the dry lakes of the desert used by the Egyptians in the mummification process. It was once thought that the body was covered in natron for 70 days. Modern translations of the Book of the Dead state that the body was covered for only 20 days.

Necropolis - In Egyptian history, the walled suburb of a major city where embalming was performed. Also known as “The City of the Dead.”

North American Indians

Skinned their dead as part of the body preparation procedure

Dr. Auguste Renouard

Author of the Undertaker’s Manual

Frederick Ruysch

Considered the “Father of Embalming” the first to refine the technique of arterial injection of a preservative into the vascular system.

Catacombs

originated in ancient Rome as excavated cemeteries cut out of soft rock for the tombs of wealthy Christians; later became a place for religious rites to avoid persecution.

Evisceration

removal of the abdominal viscera

Immersion

the act of immersing or the state of being immersed

Tabona

a flint knife used to make an incision in the lower abdomen of the deceased in the Canary Islands.

What is a set of principles that establish harmony in all human relations?

Ethics

A.B.F.S.E. definition of Embalming:

"The chemical treatment of the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to temporarily inhibit organic decomposition, and to restore the dead human body to an acceptable physical appearance" (sanitation, temporary preservation, restoration)

What is the supreme ethic for the funeral service profession?

Reverence for the Dead

What is the basic thread that binds all of humanity and is deeply ingrained in human nature?

Reverence for the Dead

What is the oldest of all religious customs? How old is it?

Burial, and it dates to the Homo Sapiens & Neanderthals

Neglect of reverence for the dead a major contributor to what? Examples?

Governmental and Sociological Disorder

Ancient Rome, Greece, & Nazi Germany

William Gladstone wrote:

"Show me the manner in which a nation or community cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals."

Sacred locations where bodies & relics of the dead are kept:

Cemeteries, Mausoleums, & Columbaria

Western cultures attitude toward death and dying:

Denial and Defiance

How many times does embalming or reverent care for the dead appear in the Bible?

Twice in the Old Testament and Referenced in the New Testament

What was "The American Way of Death", who wrote it, and when was it written?

It was a savage attack on the funeral service profession written by Jessica Mitford in 1963

What is a viewing without the decedent present missing?

An essential part of the grieving process

Describe the Logical Mind attitude toward death:

Dismisses the decedent as only dead tissue

Unable to process death with this alone

Describe Our Emotional Selves attitude toward death:

Won't allow for easy dismissal of something so inherent

Where is conflict in grieving?

Between Logical and Emotional Selves

What are social functions that reflect our capacity to form attachments, need to grieve, and mourn our dead?

Funerals

Where does the need for funerals come from?

Deep Psychological Attachments

"I would rather remember them alive" is an example of what?

Coping mechanism triggered by inability to accept death

What is to view the deceased and accept the reality of death?

Honest Confrontation

What was a reminder of the reverence needed for the dead, when did it happen, and where?

The assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963 U.S.A.

What does Psychology translate as?

"The Mind"

Who is the agency of the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and concerned with control of diseases?

Center for Disease Control and Prevention / CDCP (CDC)

What is an imprinted vision or characteristics of a person or ourselves; Mental Photograph?

Body Image

Coroner vs Medical Examiner:

Coroner: Official of a community who investigates suspicious or unnatural deaths

Medical Examiner: Official who investigates suspicious or unnatural deaths

What is the government agency responsible for regulating "The Funeral Rule"

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

What is the government agency who regulates and protects the environment?

Environmental Protection Agency / EPA

What is the U.S. Federal Regulation where funeral homes must have a GPL and information about their services?

The Funeral Rule

What is the term used for the initial call requesting only a removal (not embalming) of the deceased?

First Call

What is the Government Agency that regulates and enforce safety and health regulations for U.S. employees?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration / OSHA

Can a State OSHA agency can supersede the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA?

Yes

What is the best way to overcome death denial?

Viewing and Touching the body

What is there a risk of if there is no chance to establish the reality of death?

Complicated Bereavement, Lack of Resolution, and Nightmares

What is the embalmer's ultimate purpose?

To make the body presentable for viewing

Stages of Grief:

Denial - Anger - Bargaining - Depression - Acceptance

Benefits / Practical Purposes of Embalming:

Slows decomposition

Allows time for grieving and leave-taking

Allows time for the organization and planning of a service

Allows time for implementing the ethical, psychological, and sociological benefits of a funeral

How a Funeral Director should treat remains:

Never!--Keep them in an unlocked location or put instruments on them

Always!--Treat them as if they were a patient, infectious, your own, and maintain their modesty

Ethical Performance Standard Incudes:

Maintain!---------------Competence, Confidentiality, Identification, and Proper Care of the Deceased

Avoidance Of!---------Misrepresentation, Defamation, and Enticement

Observance Of!--------Laws, Rules, and Regulations

Accommodation Of!---The Family

What can an Embalmer give judicious council on:

1.) Visitations

2.) Viewings

3.) Restoration

4.) Invasive Procedures

5.) Realistic Expectations

[#1] Arterial / Vascular / Capillary Embalming:

Treatment Of?------------Tissues & Vascular System Except Heart b/c Aortic Semilunar valve is Pressurized Shut

Done By?------------------Via Draining Veins & Injecting Arteries

Done With?----------------Embalming Machine & Arterial Tube

Quantity Used?------------3 to 4 Gallons of Embalming Solution

Flow is directed through Arterial, Capillary, and Venous Routes

Can be Localized

"First Stage"

[#2] Cavity Embalming

Treatment Of?---------Hollow Viscera Lumina in Ventral Cavities

Done By?--------------Aspiration & Injection

Done With?-----------Trocar & Aspirator

Quantity Used?-------32-48 oz Undiluted Cavity Fluid

"Second stage"

[#3] Hypodermic Embalming

Treatment Of?--------Tissues

Done By?--------------Injection of Embalming

Chemicals

Done With?-----------Syringe or Trocar

Typically supplemental

"2nd best"

[#4] Surface Embalming

Treatment Of?--------Topographical Tissues

Done By?--------------Direct Contact of skin With Embalming Chemicals

Done With?-----------Gels, Surface Packs, Absorbent Materials

Used when Vascular Embalming is unsuccessful or impossible

What is the withdrawal of gas, fluids, and semi-solids by means of suction with an aspirator and trocar?

Aspiration

Why is Aspiration needed?

Organs are hollow and unable to be reached by other means

What is a postmortem examination of organs & tissues to determine cause of death or pathological condition?

Autopsy

What is decomposition of tissues by enzymes of their formation without microbial assistance, known as "Self-Destruction of Cells"?

Autolysis (Autolytic Decomposition)

Burial Chamber:

casket and vault OR casket and crypt

What is the ability of substances to diffuse through capillary walls into the tissue spaces?

Capillary Permeability

What is a complex organic protein produced by cells capable of autolytic decomposition (Autolysis)?

Enzyme

What is a Biological Catalyst?

Enzymes (speed up chemical reactions)

What is decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria?

Decay

What is to separate into simpler compounds by a chemical process?

Decompose

What is separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes?

Decomposition

What is to keep safe from decay and decomposition?

Preserve

What are chemicals that inactivate saprophytic bacteria by rendering their media unsuitable?

Preservatives

How does Preservation work?

Altering enzymes & lysins of the body making decomposable tissue less decomposable

What is decomposition of proteins by Anaerobic Bacterial Enzymes?

Putrefaction

What is an organic compound found in Plants & Animals made of Amino Acids?

Protein

What is the treatment of the dead to recreate natural form & color and bring to an acceptable (not life-like) appearance?

Restoration

What is a process to promote and establish conditions that minimize or eliminate biohazards?

Sanitation

How does Sanitation work?

By embalming chemicals acting on body proteins

What are Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates enacted upon by enzymes in living organisms?

Substrate

What is to prevent or retard an unwanted alteration of a physical state?

Stabilize

Methods of Stabiilization:

Refrigeration

Dry or Wet Ice

Injection of non-formaldehyde fluids

What is the science of treating the body chemically to temporarily inhibit decomposition?

Preservation

What is a sharply pointed instrument used for aspiration and injection?

Trocar

Capillaries:

1.) Connect arterioles with venules

2.) Single endothelial cell thick

3.) Simplest blood vessel

4.) 85% of blood is here

Where does Embalming Fluid contact tissues and Pressure Filtration Occur?

"Tissue Spaces" of Capillaries

"The Sleeping Beauty"

A.K.A. the "Lombardo Girl" is a two-year-old girl who died in 1920

What does the length of time the body remains preserved depend upon?

Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors

Intrinsic Factors:

1.) Internal pathological processes

2.) Distribution of preservatives

3.) Circulatory conditions

Extrinsic Factors:

1.) Strength & Volume of Preservatives

2.) Types of Preservatives

3.) Climate & environment

List the restorative qualities of Embalming chemicals:

Reduce--Intravascular Discolorations, Extravascular Discolorations, & Facial Swellings

Restore--Facial Tissues & Coloring

What do embalming preservatives and germicides interact primarily on and what do they do?

Body proteins and they establish "cross-linkages"