EmedinewsInsights on Medicolegal Issues:What is embalming?

Embalming is the process of chemically treating a dead body developed by the ancient Egyptians of preserving a person’s body after death to delay the decomposition of the body, restore it to an acceptable physical appearance and reduce the presence and growth of bacteria to prevent foul smell as well as perfume or add fragrance to corpse. Embalming certificate is required by law in certain circumstances like air/rail transportation.

·         The process of embalming has a very long history, dating back to the Egyptian process of mummification. Though their techniques were quite different from those used today, the effect was the same — to preserve an individual’s body after death. The ancient Egyptians believed that the spirit would return to the body after death, so it must remain in good condition. To preserve the corpses, they covered bodies in a drying chemical called natron, and then wrapped them in linen sheets.

·         Today, embalming is done by injecting chemicals directly into the bloodstream to preserve the corpse’s appearance. The most commonly used chemicals for embalming are formaldehyde and ethanol. A combination of these two chemicals is sufficient to preserve the body for a short time i.e. up to a week.

·         To keep the corpse in a good condition for a longer period i.e. up to a month, a solution made up almost entirely of formaldehyde is used.

·         There are several steps involved in modern embalming. First, the embalming fluid is injected directly into the deceased’s blood vessels, and pushed through the body with a mechanical pump. Next, the internal organs are hollowed of their contents and filled with embalming fluid. The chemicals are then injected beneath the skin wherever necessary, followed by a final surface embalming on injured areas of the body.

·         One of the most famous embalmed corpses today is that of Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin, whose embalmed corpse is on display at the Red Square mausoleum in Moscow. The corpse is very well-preserved, and should last for at least another hundred years.