Corpse: How Is the Body Preserved?
When a person dies, he or she must be buried. It is sometimes necessary to maintain the body in condition before burial for various reasons. Do you have any idea how this crucial step is done? Not everyone is skilled in the different preservation techniques. Here are the essentials to remember!
Preservation of the Body Using Formalin
At the top of the list of existing techniques for preserving a corpse, the administration of formalin undoubtedly occupies a place of choice. It is a process that allows the deceased’s blood to be replaced by the injection of a preservative but also antiseptic liquid. How does this process work?
First of all, the deceased’s body is placed in a morgue. It is in these places that conservation care is usually done. They are generally equipped with ventilation to protect not only the cadavers but also the people who perform the care. Indeed, formalin is a toxic product to inhale, as it can cause cancer.
Once the thanatopractor (a specialized professional who performs conservation care) is sure of the body’s identity, he or she sets to work. He or she will have all the necessary equipment to carry out the treatment safely.
He cleans the face and all the body’s orifices with a disinfectant. Then, he makes one or more incisions that will allow him to inject the formalin. He may start at the neck and progress to the appendix, head, and eyes. He drains all the blood from the deceased before injecting the formalin.
This injection process can take anywhere from 20 to 35 minutes or even 1 hour. It depends on the body’s condition or the illness from which the deceased suffered.
Once this step is completed, the professional will close or suture certain orifices to prevent the acceleration of putrefaction.
It is essential to make one slight clarification. This type of conservation care is subject to the presentation of a document certifying the mayor’s agreement of the town where the person died. Moreover, only the embalmer is authorized to perform this care. You should also know that this is usually done in the presence of either a police officer or a gendarme. In any case, the preservation of the body by injection of formalin requires the presence of a lawman in principle.
Technique of Preservation of the Body by Cold
Although the morgue and formalin injection are legal and effective methods, it is essential to note that other methods can be adopted. Cold preservation techniques allow the body to be kept in condition in the deceased’s home or a family home.
To achieve the desired result, dry ice can be used. It is the most used method because of its various advantages. Indeed, it is ecological but also very economical. It allows you to obtain good results without spending large sums of money. Moreover, it does not require any authorization from the mayor or the presence of a uniformed agent.
During this technique, the deceased is laid on ice. In other words, ice must be placed on various parts of the body until it freezes to -96 degrees. This operation must be repeated approximately every day. It is simple and practical.
You can be assisted by a nurse or a caregiver. In addition to dry ice, there is also the possibility of renting refrigeration equipment. This is a preferred technique when the family decides to keep the body at home.
In these cases, you have two options. You may choose to use a refrigerated ramp or a funeral bed. The body can be laid on these devices to preserve it in the best possible way.