Often when I tell people that I am an embalmer, they ask me why we need to embalm. Often they confuse it with mummification and are pleasantly surprised to learn we have moved on a little!
According to my theoretical tutor, Miss Sheila Dicks of Salisbury College of Funeral Sciences, the author of the British Institute of Embalmers text book, there are three reasons for embalming;
Preservation - to ensure that the deceased is able to be viewed prior to the funeral
Presentation - to ensure that the deceased looks natural and peaceful for the loved ones to say their goodbyes
Sanitation - to ensure that anyone who comes into contact with the deceased is able to do so without fear of infection.
As a qualified embalmer I am a member of The British Institute of Embalmers (BIE) and my professional qualifications enable me to embalm someone who has to leave England for overseas burial or cremation. To qualify I had to sit five modular exams and two three hour finals. I then had to embalm for an examiner and finally have my case reports scrutinised. There are many schools, in the UK and worldwide that award the qualification which enables one to apply for membership to the Institute and currently the text book and examination system is being reviewed.
Members of other organisations around the world can apply for membership to the BIE and as international members they also uphold the BIE code of ethics.
1. I believe that the practice of Embalming is in the interest of Public Health and promise to promote embalming to the best of my ability.
2. I will treat with respect each dead human body.
3. I pledge a complete confidential relationship to those I am called upon to serve.
4. I will endeavour to promote scientific research in the problems affecting Embalming.
5. I undertake to abide by the regulations of the B.I.E. and to support, to the best of my ability, any meeting or gathering arranged by them.
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