Editing Embalming (section)

==Modern practices==
{{more citations needed section|date=May 2023}}
[[File:Utensils used for embalming.jpg|thumb|right|Instruments used for embalming]]
As practiced in the [[funeral home]], embalming involves several distinct steps. Modern embalming techniques are not the result of a single practitioner, but rather the accumulation of many decades, even centuries, of research, trial and error, and invention. A standardized version follows below, but variation in techniques are common.

The first step in embalming is to verify the permissions and requests of the family followed by a careful plan for the deceased's preparation, including reviewing the medical certificate of death. The deceased is placed on the mortuary table in the [[supine position|supine anatomical position]] with the head elevated by a head rest. Before commencing any preparation the embalmer will verify the identity of the body (normally via wrist or leg bracelets or tags). At this point, embalmers commonly perform an initial evaluation of the deceased's condition, noting things such as [[rigor mortis]], skin condition, edema, intravenous injection sites, presence of fecal matter, tissue gas and numerous other factors which may affect the procedure and outcome. The embalming procedure is a surgical one, albeit rather minimally invasive. The process requires significant effort over the course of multiple hours, including intensive planning, evaluation, and chemical selection.

Any clothing on the body is removed and set aside, and any personal effects such as jewelry are inventoried. A modesty cloth is commonly placed over the [[genitalia]]. The body is washed in a germicidal soap. During this process the embalmer bends, flexes, and massages the arms and legs to relieve [[rigor mortis]]. The eyes are posed using an eye cap that keeps them shut and in the proper expression. The mouth may be closed via suturing with a needle and ligature, using an adhesive, or by setting a wire into the maxilla and mandible with a needle injector, a specialized device most commonly used in North America and unique to mortuary practice. Care is taken to make the expression look as relaxed and natural as possible, and ideally, a recent photograph of the deceased in good health is used as a reference. The process of closing the mouth and eyes, shaving, etc. is collectively known as [[setting the features]]. Features may also be set after the completion of the arterial embalming process, which allows the embalmer to clean and remove any purge that occurs during the embalming process.

[[File:Container containing embalming fluid.jpg|thumb|right|Tank containing embalming fluid]]
The actual embalming process usually involves four parts:

#[[Artery|Arterial]] embalming, which involves the injection of embalming chemicals into the blood vessels, usually via the right [[common carotid artery]]. Blood and interstitial fluids are displaced by this injection and, along with excess arterial solution, are expelled from the right [[jugular vein]] and collectively referred to as drainage. The [[embalming solution]] is injected with a centrifugal pump, and the embalmer massages the body to break up circulatory clots so as to ensure the proper distribution of the embalming fluid. This process of raising vessels with injection and drainage from a solitary location is known as a single-point injection. In cases of poor circulation of the arterial solution, additional injection points (commonly the [[axillary artery|axillary]], [[brachial artery|brachial]], or [[femoral artery|femoral]] arteries, with the [[ulnar artery|ulnar]], [[radial artery|radial]], and [[posterior tibial artery|tibial]] vessels if necessary) are used. The corresponding veins are commonly also raised and utilized for drainage. Cases where more than one vessel is raised are referred to as multiple-point injection, with a reference to the number of vessels raised (i.e. a six-point injection or six-pointer). As a general rule, the more points needing to be raised, the greater the difficulty of the case. In some cases draining from a different site from injection (i.e. injecting arterial fluid into the right common carotid artery and draining from the right [[femoral vein]]) is referred to as a split (or sometimes cut) injection. In certain cases the embalmer may deem it necessary to perform a restricted cervical injection, which involves injecting the head of the deceased separately from the rest of body. This is done in cases where distention (swelling) has a greater chance of occurring. In many cases, an embalmer may select to perform what is known as a pre-injection. A pre-injection is a solution of chemicals that do not contain any preservative chemicals, but rather chemicals that encourage vasodilation, help disperse blood clots, and act as chelating agents. The focus of this "pre-injection" is to allow for a more complete drainage and better distribution of the arterial embalming solution.
#Cavity treatment/embalming refers to the removal of internal fluids inside body cavities via the use of an [[aspirator (medical device)|aspirator]] and [[trocar]]. The embalmer makes a small incision just above the [[navel]] (two inches superior and two inches to the right) and pushes the trocar into the abdominal and chest cavities. This first punctures the hollow organs and aspirates their contents. The embalmer then fills the cavities with concentrated chemicals (known as cavity chemicals) that may contain formaldehyde, which are delivered to the chest cavity via the trocar inserted through the diaphragm.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pSjTAAAAQBAJ|title=The Corpse: A History|last=Quigley|first=Christine|date=2015|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476613772|language=en}}</ref> The incision is either sutured closed (commonly using the purse-string or 'N' suture methods) or a "trocar button" is secured into place.
#[[Hypodermic]] embalming is a supplemental method which refers to the injection of embalming chemicals into tissue with a hypodermic needle and syringe, which is generally used as needed on a case-by-case basis to treat areas where arterial fluid has not been successfully distributed during the main arterial injection.
#Surface embalming, another supplemental method, utilizes embalming chemicals to preserve and restore areas directly on the skin's surface and other superficial areas as well as areas of damage such as from accident, decomposition, cancerous growths, or skin donation.

The duration of an embalming can vary greatly, but a common approximate time of between two and four hours to complete an embalming is typical.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is embalming? |url=https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/what-is-embalming/#:~:text=How%20long%20does%20embalming%20take,the%20body%20in%20any%20way. |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Dignity Funerals |language=en-gb}}</ref> However, an embalming case that presents excessive complications could require substantially longer. The treatment of someone who has undergone an autopsy, cases of extreme trauma, or the restoration of a long-bone donor are a few such examples, and some embalmings may take several days to complete.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Park-Mustacchio |first=Jenn |date=2013-10-24 |title=I've been an embalmer for 14 years and see my share of bodies. Any questions? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/24/embalmer-for-14-years-ask-me-anything |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hou |first=Kathleen |date=2013-10-29 |title=A Mortician's Beauty Secrets |url=https://www.thecut.com/2013/10/morticians-beauty-secrets.html |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref>

Embalming is meant to temporarily preserve the body of a deceased person. Regardless of whether embalming is performed, the type of burial or entombment, and the materials used – such as wood or metal coffins and vaults – the body of the deceased will, under most circumstances, eventually decompose. Modern embalming is done to delay decomposition so that funeral services may take place or for the purpose of shipping the remains to a distant place for disposition.