Talk:Embalming

Globalize tag

Embalming was banned in The Netherlands until 2009, and still uncommon (http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balseming); another Dutch Wikipedia article claims some form of preservation is applied to 75% of British corpses, but only 45% in France. (http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatopraxie) In the US, of course, it is common. But you would not expect any of this if you read this article, which suggests that embalming is common around the "Western world". — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.6.49.64 (talk) 07:44, 25 May 2011 (UTC)

Came here to comment on exactly the same topic. The article implies that embalming is common in the western world. It is not and the article doesn't provide any source supporting this ridiculous claim.

The claim is not only highly questionable, but extremely POV. There is a very high probability that embalming is performed only in a minority of cases outside the US and the UK. As long as there are no sources supporting a opposite statement nonsense like this shouldn't be included in the article. Instead is is necessary to make clear that these practices are very much an American thing in todays western world.91.39.113.206 (talk) 09:18, 15 March 2013 (UTC)

Trivia Point

Quoted in this article under Trivia: Easily the most famous embalmed body of the 20th century is Lenin, who continues to draw crowds to see him decades after his death. I disagree. Chairman Mao's embalmed tomb in Tian'an Men Square in Beijing, China is extremely popular as well. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.105.163.163 (talk • contribs) 22:49, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

Changed from "Easily" to "Perhaps". Is Mao's actualy body on display? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.240.217.248 (talk • contribs) 07:38, 26 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, it is. See Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Also see Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Boneyard90 (talk) 21:31, 19 May 2011 (UTC)

Casket/Coffin

Casket is merely a euphamism for coffin used by the funeral industry. Whether the container is oblong or hexagonal has no bearing on the correct name. — Preceding unsigned comment added by PhennPhawcks (talk • contribs) 02:30, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

This is incorrect. All boxes for the dead are technically coffins but is most often used to describe those designed with the tapered human form while a casket is a coffin specifically rectangular or hexagonal. To call them the same is the say that a sedan and stationwagon are the same because the are both cars.

Why was the article on embalming chemicals deleted? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Neo-Anubis (talk • contribs) 01:56, 11 January 2006 (UTC)

In the United States, within the funeral industry, the word casket is the accepted term. There may be a feeling amongst us (morticians) in which we feel it differentiates us from European practices and their vernacular.

Caskets in the United States do not taper at the feet or head. Most are rectangular in shape, therefore the word casket is most appropriate. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Texasmortician (talk • contribs) 15:21, 17 May 2006

by definition a coffin is anthropoid in shape (being oblong) and a casket is a rectangular container for holding a dead human body. coffins are almost never used in America. in common parlance coffin and casket are interchangeable, however for accuracy's sake the difference should be noted

Did someone go at this article with an axe?

There is a copious amount of text missing, including interlanguage links. It seems to me someone took a big hatchet to the page and did it sloppily. BURN!!!--Agamemnon2 03:29, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

Fixed. --Agamemnon2 03:33, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

Modesty Cloth

Was deleted as "rarely used". Both Mayer and Strubbs' books recommend it, it is taught as a standard is all embalming courses I have had contact with and is used clearly visible in the Dodge Company training videos at semninars. Most embalmers I have spoken with, including people from Australia, Canada, the US and New Zealand use it commonly. Perhaps confusion with an autopsy, where it is not used at all.

I am a funeral directing student and have worked in several different funeral homes over the years and not once have we used a modesty cloth. While it is probably recommended, it is something that is rarely used - despite what the books may say. T. White 07:01, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

I am a Funeral Directors Apprentice in Ontario and use of a modesty cloth is almost concidered manditory here, it protects the dignity of the deceased and it is concidered common knowlege that funeral homes and employers expect the deceased to be covered. We are taught to use a modesty cloth in school and expected to in the workplace.

The Pope and Myrrh

Where does this rumour come from? It needs a source or must be deleted...

hell no

question about embalming

A few years ago, a friend told me that he once saw a photo of a woman who was lying in her casket with her lips slightly opened but her teeth sealed together, would that ever be possible.

and also as I once saw a film where a woman was lying in her casket in a strapless evening dress therefore the dress covers upto just below her armpit area, although it is a film, as it shows no visible scars, can that ever be true in real life, if so whereabout at her body is she is more likely to be cut at

also who make the decision to dress the deceased and what they are allowed or not allowed to dress the decease in

How long would an embalmed corpse last ?

Answers to Questions

Yes very possible. The mouth is generally closed with either suture or wire that is hidden from view from the opening of the mouth that closes the teeth together. However the lips are most commonly held together from either natural closure lines, kalip or glue with ther teeth not shown although with an overbite or dehydraton the lips may open slightly.

The body is most commonly embalmed via the right common carotid artery (where the vampire bites in movies) but can be done via the axillary artery in the axillary space (armpit) or the femoral artery in the leg. It is a combination of the embalmers preference and training as well as other considerations such as what clothes are to be worn. Most embalmers can cosmetise a incision scar to near invisibility in any case.

The next of kin or enduring power of attorney in Western legal consideration own the body for all purposes and may dress it as they see fit, although most funeral directors will advise families if special consideration needs to be made, such as having the chest area covered in post-mortem cases to hide the very large scars made at autopsy.

–== Test for Death ==

Standard embalming practise emphasises a test for death be performed and it is not merely a historical act. For the most part it is an almost unconcious act, done automatically, but still an intergral part of starting the embalming process, all the more notable as in some countries (such as New Zealand) embalmers will routinely embalm the body before the doctor will write the death certificate. dressing the deceased in some cultures is required to be conducted by family members only and in some religions it has to be the same sex person who dresses the deceased.

the funeral home i worked for is stifling the embalming practice. the embalmer only embalm bodies with quarter of the technique. i want to be somewhere i can explore the embalming process and feel free with the dead.

Article Image

Would just like to point out that the main image used in the 'History of Embalming' section of this article as an example of an embalmed Ancient Egyptian mummy is actually the British Museum's sand-mummy known as 'Ginger'. Ginger's body was mummified through being buried in sand in very dry, arid, desert conditions, and not through any chemical means of embalming or deliberate mummification. Therefore, it doesn't seem to be a very accurate picture to have anywhere in an article primarily about deliberate or chemical methods of corpse preservation. Can anyone come up with a better example to use instead?

Embalmer vs. Funeral Director vs. Mortician

The way that the "Who is an embalmer" reads is actually more correct than the one that keeps being put back up. I know this because I am a licensed Funeral Director AND Embalmer and have been so for 11 years. All I did was add one line. The verbage that was being used was clumsy and somewhat vague. It also was put in a header line that made the statement run to the right for about two pages instead of actually following the format of the article.

Cleanup Clothing Section

Cleaned up the section on clothing. It was written as an opinion piece and not so much as an article. Feel free to add anything involving the customs of various countries. The way I edited was based on what happens in the United States and I tried to keep it geographically neutral. Any further additions should probably be sub-headed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Syncav (talk • contribs) 13:59, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

Jacob

Jacob was embalmed while he died in Egypt. JeromeNelson 05:57, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

"Faisal should be murdered"

The third last sentence in the "History" section contains the following dubious sentence: "Faisal should be murdered by arsenic poisoning could claim that the levels of poison in the deceased's body were a result of embalming post mortem rather than evidence of homicide."

75.152.153.169 (talk) 20:11, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

I would like to submit for the EXTERNAL LINK section an interview of an embalmer. Here's the link: http://www.artsandopinion.com/2004_v3_n4/embalmer.htm Thanking you for the consideration, Artsandopinion (talk) 20:38, 14 January 2008 (UTC)Robert Lewis

6 feet under

This show is about as accurate to funeral directing as LA Law was to the law profession or Star strek is to modern space travel. It's HIGHLY fictionalized to draw viewers.

The part I removed did not have a source sited. Just saying "the technical advisors said..." is not a valid source. Having someone in the funeral profession, like myself, say that this is not true is a source. I've been doing this for a while. When I talk to people about my profession I am always asked about "How true to life is 6' under?? I have answered this question every time I speak to a high school class or nursing school.

syncav (talk) 15:04, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

Sanitization, Presentation and Preservation (or Restoration)

These processes are not in an order but rather intimately interconnected ie the presentation of the body is achieved by creating excellent preservation which is partially achieved via a proper sanitization. Likewise a body may be poorly sanitized but still have excellent presentation or preservation. A proper embalming performs all three factors with roughly equal importance, allowing for the specific nature of the case and the ultimate desired outcome.

Need Embalming information

What happens to the blood or other parts of body (if removed). Where did it disposed and how? How they take of deceased's relative's feeling. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.106.220.19 (talk) 16:12, 17 August 2009 (UTC)

Blood and other bodily fluids go down the drain. Yes, the same drain which water and sewage goes. Body parts are not removed during an embalming. If and when there is removal of a body part or organ(s) (be it from an accident or during autopsy), it is cleaned, embalmed and placed back in or on the body in correct anatomic position. I don't get the last part of your question because it makes no sense. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.72.176.240 (talk) 05:10, 25 September 2011 (UTC)

I think they are asking if the embalmer considers the feelings of the relatives of the person embalmed, as in "How would you like it if your relatives blood was washed down the drain without your knowledge or approval?".203.9.151.254 (talk) 08:12, 5 September 2012 (UTC)

accuracy

This article contained incorrect information about Minnesota's mortician license requirements and terminology [1]. I believe that the information from other states (which has no citations) may also be incorrect. EdwinHJ | Talk 21:39, 24 March 2011 (UTC)

Cost

How much does your average embalming cost? 203.9.151.254 (talk) 08:13, 5 September 2012 (UTC)

Saint in Goa

There is a coffin of a saint in Goa, India,Basilica de Bon Jesu of Goa, that has been preserved without any embalming methods. It has been there since 16th century. Here is a link for it. http://www.giftedtravel.com/basilica-de-bon-jesu-of-goa/ If someone can edit it and put it on the main page, it does carry relevance to the subject. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Pavanvg (talk • contribs) 07:23, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Chavez

Unless there is some evidence that the process of embalming has already taken place, rather than simply been announced, Chavez can't yet be added to the list of notable embalmings. 86.169.221.131 (talk) 09:07, 9 March 2013 (UTC)

Chavez will not be embalmed [2] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ratzinger Z (talk • contribs) 04:20, 17 March 2013 (UTC)

Reasons people have for requesting embalming

The article makes no mention of why people choose to have loved ones embalmed before burial. We need a section that explains the reasons for embalming being done and why some people choose not to do it in countries where it is common such as the U.S. While there is mention of religion prohibitions and health/environmental concerns about the use of embalming chemicals are reasons it's not done in some countries, there is not enough discussion about other secular reasons for not doing it in the article. Are there psychological or cultural reasons people wish to preserve the body through embalming? Why is it fairly standard in countries like the U.S. and Ireland, but less common in many continental European countries? Also, do they embalm corpses to be cremated? Those are all questions the article should address. --67.101.218.53 (talk) 21:12, 6 August 2013 (UTC)

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Hello,

I have a few suggestions for this page.

In citation 9, a short opinionated article is cited to strengthen the argument that viewing an embalmed corpse is “therapeutic” but upon clicking on the article, it is only one view in the article and does not give a strong reason for the statement made in the Wikipedia article.

“Perhaps the ancient culture that had developed embalming to the greatest extent was Egypt. As early as the First Dynasty (3200 BC), specialized priests were in charge of embalming and mummification. The Ancient Egyptians believed that preservation of the mummy empowered the soul after death, the latter of which would return to the preserved corpse.” – This statement has no reference but is stating that Egypt has a huge part in the development of embalming practices.

The topic of the legality of embalming is underrepresented and there are no citations. This topic should have documentation to back it up especially if it is facts about legal requirements. Braziti1 (talk) 17:50, 31 January 2017 (UTC)

Bizarre Behaviour

It should be noted that only North-Americans, for the most part, engage in behaviour as utterly bizarre and pointless as draining a corpse of blood, and filling it with a red dye. Most people in most of the world would never dream of engaging in such bizarre and macabre conduct, and instinctively recoil in revulsion at the very notion of embalming a corpse, in the same way that they instinctively recoil in revulsion at the notion of amputating an infant's prepuce.

10:16, 28 May 2017 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 141.168.17.209 (talk)

Personal opinions aside, do you have any reliable, independent sources to back this up? Waterco4 (talk) 11:03, 29 March 2018 (UTC)

History section issues

Mummification and embalming are two distinct types of body preservation methods. Mummification is not a method used to embalm a body, therefore mummification does not belong on this page. Mummification and mummies have their own page. In order to comply with Wikipedia guidelines that are intended to streamline the site by presenting information organized in a logical fashion and avoiding duplicate information on different pages, I will be removing the mummification paragraphs from this page and consolidating the information with the existing information about mummies that is already in place on the Mummification page. If there are objections that can counter what I have just stated, please voice your concerns within the next week before I make the edit. Down time (talk) 19:47, 29 December 2019 (UTC)

Discovery of Large White Thrombi - from 2021 (2020?) onwards

In the English-speaking world, where embalming is much more common, large, white, fibrous thrombi have been discovered whilst attempting to introduce the embalming fluid, resulting in these thrombi having to be removed from blood vessels. Source: a number of embalmers around the UK & US. No official sources yet, so this will have to wait a bit longer. BUt contributers may have useful information regarding future sources and evidence, which they could share in comments. Lawrence18uk (talk) 17:12, 18 February 2024 (UTC)