Admission Essay. Ben Davis April 30, How long does it take for an embalmed body to decompose in a coffin? Does an embalmed body decompose? What happens to your soul when your cremated?
Is it legal to build your own coffin? Despite the process of decomposition beginning immediately upon death, some western cultures delay its progression through embalming. Embalming is a custom, used mainly in the US and Canada, that temporarily preserves a deceased body so it will be intact for viewing at wakes and funerals. The way in which the corpse is embalmed greatly affects the duration of its preservation. There is no public health benefit to embalming and it is practiced purely for cosmetic purposes; however, in some places, it is prohibited to embalm a person who died from a serious contagious disease.
The rate of decomposition is largely dependent on the cause of death, the weight of the deceased and other environmental factors. For example, bodies decay at a faster rate if they are exposed to the elements or wildlife, if they are in warm environments, or if they are under water.
These fluids are then replaced by embalming solution and the small incision is closed. Before a body is embalmed, it is carefully washed and then washed again after the procedure. During embalming it is massaged, to help work the preserving fluids through the body. The jaw is sutured with invisible stitches to keep it in place, while caps placed under the eyelids help keep them closed.
Cosmetics are used to enhance a natural appearance and are formulated to be used by funeral directors in their care of the deceased. Post-mortem surgery , for instance, is a highly expert reconstructive embalming skill, carried out following traumatic deaths such as road accidents. In cases when it would otherwise be too distressing to view — or perhaps even recognise — a loved one due to their injuries, top embalmers work to reconstruct the features of the person who has died.
Embalming also gives people an opportunity to allow for more time with their loved one before the funeral. They might want to bring them to lie at home, or visit them in a chapel of rest. It can afford family members from further away time to get to where they need to be, to pay their respects. Yes, a body can be viewed without embalming. Embalming is simply one of many funeral options to choose when someone dies.
A body that has not been embalmed will begin to undergo the natural processes that happen after death, sooner. It is usual for someone to be embalmed before they are brought home for an open coffin viewing or a wake, although this is not always the case.
In circumstances where a person has not been embalmed and is brought home for an open or closed coffin wake, the funeral is generally held within a few days of the death and the room is kept very cool. The Cuddlecot is an insulated crib which allows bereaved parents to bring babies who are stillborn, or died in infancy, home for a few hours, or even days.
Many hospitals are beginning to provide these, to enable families to spend precious time with their baby, without the need for embalming. The reason for embalming is to preserve the body for a certain amount of time, to try to stave off the deterioration of the body. For the celebrity or great leader, it is a way to remain immortal, to defy death and have their image live on forever.
Without going into too much detail, the way the body is embalmed is the secret to the longevity of the deceased. Understanding this process will enable you to understand why the time spent preparing the body is necessary.
Visting to view the body can be very helpful to the mourning process. To see the deceased in a calm, almost serene pose can help the family and friends to say goodbye. Grief is something we all must go through, and having a process of preparation for the deceased allows us all to process the fact that they have passed on. Embalming buys us time to care for the dead before they are put into the ground. Whatever helps with the grieving process is good for the living.
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