Embalming I Exam 1 Content

Chapters 1-3

Embalming

The process of chemically treating human remains to reduce the presence of and growth of microorganisms, temporarily inhibit organic decomp, and restore an acceptable physical appearance.

Embalming Etymology

Em —> in or about

Balm —> resinous substance of balsamic agents

Purposes of Embalming

Disinfection, temporary preservation, restoration.

Purposes of Embalming: Disinfection

Public health and safety, reduce the growth and presence of bodily microorganisms.

Purposes of Embalming: Temporary Preservation

Inhibits decomp, allows families time to make arrangements and travel.

Purposes of Embalming: Restoration

Restore to an acceptable appearance for viewing purposes, restore the natural color and form seen in life.

4 Types of Embalming

Vascular/Arterial, Cavity, Surface, Hypodermic.

Vascular/Arterial Embalming

The use of the blood vascular system of the body to inject embalming solution into the arteries and utilize the veins for drainage. Foundation of modern embalming, most tissues are best preserved using this method.

Cavity Embalming

Direct treatment of the contents of the body cavities, usually accomplished by aspiration and injection of chemicals using a trocar, normally the second half of the embalming process to supplement vascular embalming.

Surface/Topical Embalming

Direct contact of body tissues with embalming chemicals, often used in localized areas that did not embalm well vascularly.

Hypodermic Embalming

Injection of embalming chemicals directly into the tissues through the use of a syringe and needle or a trocar. often used in autopsies and donor cases. considered a last resort on normal cases.

Who can access the prep room?

Licensees, apprentices, mortuary students, those authorized by the family or the law.

Prep Room Conduct

Maintain confidentiality and respect for the dead, no cameras/recording, keep room locked and private, cover remains as practical, always confirm ID, maintain highest ethical and professional standards.

Organizations that handle death certificate registration and paperwork

State Department of Health, vital statistics, permitting.

State Regulation: Licensing

All states except Colorado have a licensing body with authority over the practice of funeral service in that state. Bodies enforce statutory law, individual licensure, business licensure, disposition of the dead.

Basic Standards of the Embalming Process

Disinfection/sanitation, arterial and cavity embalming, authorizations/documentation.

Attended Deaths

Authorities are normally contacted before you arrive to make the removal.

Unattended Death

Start with local law enforcement first.

Medical Examiner

Elected/appointed official of a local community with a medical degree who holds inquests concerning sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths, often a pathologist.

Coroner

Elected/appointed official of a local community who may or may not have medical training and holds inquests concerning sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths, often an elected official/politician.

Justice of the Peace (JP)

Legal death investigator in smaller communities and counties.

3 Main Federal Embalming Regulatory Bodies

OSHA, FTC, EPA.

OSHA Regulated Areas of Embalming

Hazard Communication Standard, Formaldehyde Standard, Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.

FTC Funeral Rule: Embalming

NOT required by federal law, funeral homes MAY require embalming for certain service options as long as other options exist that do not require embalming.

Expressed Consent

Required for embalming, FTC does not specify written or verbal.

FTC: Expressed Consent Exceptions

Embalming authorization given by the decedent in pre-arrangements, no contact from the family/documented attempts, 3 hour rule.

EPA Regulated Areas for Embalming

Public sanitation, proper disposal of soiled clothing/personal affects, proper disposal of all waste materials from embalming.

Case Report

A detailed listing of body conditions and treatments performed by funeral personnel for all bodies received into a facility for preparation, may be standardized by state, ONLY documentation for litigation.

Other forms of documentation

Property tracking sheets, identification logs, custody of remains forms, donation forms, embalmer’s affadavit for ship-out, authorization for other invasive procedures.

The Supreme Ethic of Funeral Service

Reverence for the dead.

Embalming preservatives and germicides interact primarily with ____.

Body proteins.

Embalmed Tissue

The chemicals and body proteins combined to form a latticework of inert firm material that can no longer be easily broken down by bacterial or autolytic body enzymes.

Arterial Tube

A tube attached to the hosing of the embalming machine which is placed into an artery.

Embalming Analysis

The selection of embalming vessels determined by the postmortem body conditions.

Aspiration

The removal of the contents of hollow organs to make room for the introduction of cavity fluid.

Trocar: Hollow Organs

Inserted through the umbilicus/belly button withdraw contents.

Trocar: Solid Organs

Inserted through the umbilicus/belly button to drain accumulated fluids and make channels in said organs.

Cavity Aspiration

Removes fluid and gases from between the organs that have accumulated antemortem or postmortem.

Evolution Injector

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

Cavity Fluid Injector

Connects to the trocar by a length of tubing.