A Review of Basic Embalming Procedures

The process of embalming is a series of mechanical steps employed by the professional embalmer to preserve human remains for a funeral service. These basic principles of embalming have gone unchanged since bodies were first preserved for anatomical study during the 19th century. This preservation requires replacing the blood in the cardio-vascular system with a chemical preservative solution.

Over the course of the past 150 years, the design of embalming equipment and instruments have improved dramatically as have the range of chemical preservatives available; when properly used, they will insure a body will be thoroughly sanitized, preserved, and restored for a funeral service.

This course focuses on these basic principles and procedures as well as several common “special problems” that every embalmer must deal with.

The Author

Richard A. Santore President Practicum Strategies attended City College of New York and the McAllister School of Embalming and has had a career in funeral service spanning over 40 years. Richard is a published author of numerous articles pertaining to the funeral profession. He also served as publisher of Today in Deathcare a national publication for funeral professionals as well as the Executive Director of Associated Funeral Directors International. Richard his served as a Curriculum Design and Implement Consultant within the Johnson City, Tennessee School System and a Guest Faculty Member at Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, Virginia.

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