Embalming History, Theory, and Practice: Origins and Reverent Care of the Dead
Origins of Embalming and Reverent Care of the Dead
Embalming Definition
As defined by the ABFSE (American Board of Funeral Service Education), embalming is "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." This definition highlights three primary objectives: reducing microbial activity, slowing decomposition, and aesthetic restoration.
History and Significance of Burial and Embalming
Ancient Religious Customs: Burial of the dead is considered one of humanity's oldest religious customs.
Neanderthals: Evidence from Neanderthal burial sites in Iraq shows practices such as adorning the deceased with antlers and placing flower pollen nearby, indicating early forms of reverent care.
Egyptians: Developed sophisticated mummification techniques. Central to these practices was the belief in eternal life and the necessity of preserving the physical body for the soul to recognize it post-death (Sheposh, 2024).
Christian Bible: References to embalming are found in the Christian Bible, specifically in Genesis and Genesis , implying its historical significance in Judeo-Christian traditions.
Reverent Care of the Dead
Measure of Humanity: Former British Prime Minister William Evart Gladstone eloquently stated, "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." This underscores the profound societal importance placed on care for the deceased.
Moral and Ethical Duty: Caring for the dead is considered a moral and ethical duty, and a privilege.
Societal Decline: A lack of concern or care for the dead is frequently associated with declining societies, with historical examples cited includes ancient Rome, Greece, and Nazi Germany.
Important Note: While often seen as a symptom, there is no direct link established between a declining society and a lack of funerary rituals or care for the dead; it's typically perceived as an indicator rather than a cause.
Philosophical Perspective: As articulated by S. Tisdale in Advice for future corpses (and those who love them) (), working with cadavers clarifies the nature of death. A subject transforms into an object, a person into a body, yet this "object" can never be ordinary because it once was a warm, breathing, awake person. This perspective emphasizes the unique reverence due to the deceased.
Universal Customs and Rituals
Cross-Cultural Observance: All cultures, irrespective of their specific beliefs, engage in some form of care for their dead.
Collective Honoring: There is a universal understanding that societies should honor, mourn, and celebrate the dead.
Archaeological Evidence: Archaeologists have discovered numerous sacred burial sites and erected monuments from ancient civilizations, demonstrating a long-standing tradition of memorializing the deceased. This practice continues into modern times.
Public Sentiment and its Impact
Emmett Till: The open-casket funeral of Emmett Till tragically showcased the devastating effects of racial violence and profoundly impacted the American civil rights movement, highlighting the power of confronting the reality of death.
Jessica Mitford's The American Way of Death (): This influential book critiqued the funeral industry, sparking public discussion and changes in funeral practices and regulations.
JFK Assassination (): The public's profound grief was evident as approximately people waited for hours to visit the casket where President John F. Kennedy lay in state, demonstrating the collective need to pay respects and mourn publicly.
Psychosocial Model of Grief
Deep Link Attachments and "Body Image": Human minds create deep attachments that form a "body image"—an internal representation of a loved one. Our minds often employ psychological mechanisms that make us believe these relationships will endure eternally.
Confrontation and Resolution: The act of viewing the dead body, or a symbolic representation of the deceased, is crucial for the bereaved. It helps to mentally solidify the ending of the relationship, assisting in the psychological process of confronting death and beginning the grieving journey.
Philosophical and Psychological Insights on Viewing the Body
Dr. Erich Lindemann: Believed that avoiding viewing the body is at the "psychological peril of the aggrieved," suggesting that this avoidance can hinder healthy grieving.
Thomas Lynch: Noted that "remembering him the way he was… begins by denying the way he is" and that "We fear that seeing will be believing." This highlights the psychological struggle of reconciling the living memory with the reality of death, and the often-difficult but necessary confrontation with the deceased's physical state.
Practicality of Embalming
Slowing Degenerative Changes: Embalming effectively slows the natural processes of decomposition and degenerative changes that occur after death.
Providing Time: This preservation allows families crucial time:
To make difficult decisions regarding final arrangements.
To coordinate schedules and gather family members and friends from various locations to be present for funeral services.
Alternative to Refrigeration: Embalming provides a practical solution when refrigeration is not available or feasible.
Ethical Performance Standards for Embalmers
Definition of Ethics: Ethics is defined as a set of principles that governs conduct to establish harmony in all human relations.
Professional Conduct: An embalmer should embody courtesy, tact, and discretion.
Honesty and Licensing: It is unethical to misrepresent oneself or others. Only licensed individuals are permitted to perform tasks that require a license.
Confidentiality: All information pertaining to the deceased and their family must be kept strictly confidential.
Avoiding Defamation: Making non-factual statements, insinuations, or engaging in defamation that harms another professional's reputation is unethical.
Body Identification: Proper identification of the deceased must be maintained at all times while they are under the embalmer's care.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to all federal, state, and local laws and regulatory requirements is mandatory.
Continuing Education: Embalmers have an ethical duty to maintain and continually enhance their skills and knowledge through ongoing education, a requirement in many states.
Sanitary Work Environment: Maintaining a clean and sanitary work environment, especially in the prep room, is essential.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE must be accessible and provided to all necessary personnel in the preparation room.
Authorization for Embalming: Embalming must be authorized. While verbal permission may be given initially, it is crucial to obtain written authorization as soon as possible.
Comprehensive Documentation: Complete documentation, including authorization records, an embalming report, and a care report, must always accompany the deceased.
Ethical Photographing of Decedents: Photographing decedents is only permissible with explicit permission, and any such images must be safeguarded to ensure privacy and respect. Ethical considerations dictate how this information is handled and secured.
Care and Modesty: Decedents must be handled with the utmost care, ensuring modesty is maintained at all times, and all equipment used must be kept clean and sanitary.