Q&A for How to Embalm

The amount of an embalmer's salary depends on the level (beginner through to senior), the specific employer and local pay conditions. However, a rough estimate is between USD$30,000 and $50,000 per year (pre-tax).

Normally the body is dressed before it is cremated. You can request specific clothes if you wish, talk to your family and/or the funeral director about your preferences.

The undertaker prepares the body for the funeral and for burial. A body will only be embalmed if the family requests this, and if so, the body will be embalmed by a mortician. The undertaker dresses the body (in accordance with the family’s requests) and places it into the coffin or casket that the family has chosen. Then they take the body to the place where the funeral is being held. The undertaker is guided by the family’s wishes, religious requirements and cultural needs.

A body that has not been embalmed will take up to a dozen years to decompose. A body that has been embalmed will take quite a few more years to decompose. However, the rate of decomposition will vary depending on the chemicals used to embalm the body, and whether or not the whole body was embalmed or just the parts on show for an open casket funeral. While most embalmed bodies will eventually break down, sometimes they are mummified and will not break down for a very long time––you can read about some examples under the Wikipedia entry "Decomposition."

Gas builds up in the intestinal tract, colon and stomach. This is due to the bacteria growth which produces gas.

In some cases, the embalming fluid moisturizes (for lack of better word) tissues. It may cause the face of the deceased to appear more swollen, because it's made to fill wrinkles.

The organs and stomach are only removed when an autopsy has been performed.

Sometimes, fluid that embalmers pump in "hydrate" the tissues, plumping it up with liquid. This can smooth out wrinkles and slightly change the face.

With a body hoist, especially for heavy persons, or manually when dealing with a deceased who weighs less than 200 pounds.

It depends on the methods and chemicals used by the embalmer. Not all embalmers use the same chemicals or techniques, and in some cases, the lips and the hands tend to get dry quicker than any other area. That's why the embalmer hydrates and moisturize. The lips and hands are very visible to the viewers.

Chemical embalming does not "freeze" the body. It does not stop decomposition, but it does slow it.

It depends on how well the embalming job went. Some can be dead for months and look the same, other than the facial area being dried.

No. As long as there is no substantial trauma to the face, embalming will not alter its structure.

An embalmer wouldn't do that -- that would most likely be a medical examiner, done when performing an autopsy.

No, they do not. Instead, embalmers use plastic garments, such as plastic underpants, shirts, or sleeves. If needed, they may use a larger garment (called a unionall) as well.

Depends on the condition of the circulatory system. If that system isn't intact to hold fluid any longer, embalming isn't possible via that method. However surface or hypodermic embalming may be possible to a small extent.

Incision points are the femoral artery in the legs, and the right or left common carotid artery in the neck region.

It depends on the condition of the body, how soon after the death the embalming was started, how long the body had been dead, and the type and strength of the fluid used. Some fluids are stronger and are to be used on more difficult cases that can decompose more quickly. If done properly, it should last a long time (weeks or months), but never forever.

Yes, the best location for raising the artery and vein is within the neck (for both men and women).

I'm pretty sure most modern embalmers don't do that anymore, but it was a common practice in ancient Egypt.

Sometimes the process of embalming itself will help to reduce swelling due to the interaction of the formaldehyde and the edema. Beyond that, there are numerous processes to help reduce swelling, beginning with the application of compresses to help push the retained fluid back into the veinous system.

Nothing. Genitals are not embalmed.

It largely depends on the embalmer's preference. In the case of an infant, only the bare minimum is used.

Not if it is done properly. The facial arteries are found up high in the neck above the chin, and are accessed by an incision below the collarbone and neckline of clothes where it can't be seen. The carotid artery is a lot closer from the same incision mentioned, so you wouldn't use the facial arteries if you could use the carotids.

If they can get through the casket, then yes, although that doesn't always happen.

Not usually, but if a individual passes away in a nursing facility, somtimes the nurses must clean and dress the body for family and the funeral home.

It depends on the condition of the body, up to weeks and months if done properly.

No. The family has that choice. Embalming usually is around $600. The body, however, will decompose faster without being embalmed.

Yes, the deceased get an anal, vaginal, nasal, and throat plug to prevent leakage.

The lips or eyes are never sewn. If dehydration does not occur to "shrink" the skin to make the lips or eyes look to be open, then even super glue is not necessary.