Embalming
Perhaps no other area of funeral service is shrouded
in mystery and more misunderstood than embalming. Embalming began
in ancient Egypt and was practiced in many cultures. In America,
embalming began during the Civil War, when soldiers were prepared and returned
for burial in their home towns.
Actually there is no mystery in embalming at all.
The procedure is identical to many surgical procedures and conducted under
the utmost dignity and respect. Embalming is done for preservation
as well as sanitation and public health reasons. The most common
method of embalming is a process by which the embalming fluid is introduced
through the vascular system, and thereby stopping the normal rate of decomposition.
The procedure is done under surgical conditions and usually requires two
to four hours to complete.
Embalming allows for the fixation of features and
restoration. Family members can draw strength from being able to
see their loved one at rest, rather than remembering them as they were
at death.
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