Location, location, location

Its all about where to start your injection from...

Modern embalming is replacing blood and body fluids with formaldehyde and other chemical preservatives to create a natural, peaceful appearance.   To do this we need to push the fluid under either manual or electrical pressure through the arterial system of the body.

In order to do this, certain legal requirements have to be carried out.   The death must be registered and permission from the family sought.   Often the funeral arranger will call this 'hygienic treatment'.   A good funeral arranger won't have any problem finding the right words to use to discuss this with their families.    In the case of a burial, only one GP needs to see the deceased but if there is to be a cremation, two GPs must sign the relevant papers.  

When the funeral home calls me to tell me they need me, they usually tell me how many people I need to embalm.  This helps me plan my day and prioritise those who need embalming soonest due to viewing commitments or funeral times.

I arrive at the theatre and fill the sink with hot water and disinfectant.  I undress the deceased, all the while observing the body assessing what fluids will work best, and looking for wounds or other medical conditions which will affect the process.   Whilst undressing, I gently move the limbs in their natural way, thus removing Rigor Mortis which goes when the muscles are moved.   At this time I also check names against wrist bands and also jewellery against relevant registers.   I place a piece of cotton wadding over the genitals, a Modesty Cloth, as no one wants to be staring at that for an hour, and of course, it's much nicer to retain a little modesty, even with me.  I then take my cloths and wash the deceased using my disinfectant water.

Now that I have seen all the deceased can show me, I start to mix my fluids.  I chose where I am going to commence my injection.   I favour the Axillary Artery in the armpit.   Firstly because it gives an even result to the face, but also because no cosmetic work is needed to hide my small incision as it is hidden away and open necked clothing therefore poses no problems.  If I chose to use the Carotid Artery (in the neck) my suturing and cosmetics afterwards can usually hide the incision.

I place my kidney dish as a receptacle under the armpit and using my scalpel, I make a small cut.  Using other embalming tools, I dissect the underlying tissue to seek the artery and vein.   When found, I ligate either end of the small section of artery with ligature and cut it a little open.   I then place two tubes, one distal, one proximal, a small way into the artery and tie off.   This is repeated with the vein except the vein tube can be presented much further into the vessel for good drainage..

When I have connected my fluid tank with the tube heading into the body, I commence injection.    My embalming machine gently pushing the fluid through the tube and into the arterial system all round the body.   I look for signs that the fluid is moving round, by checking various veins for protrusion.  Starting with the temporal, then left arm, then veins over the trunk, then veins leading into the feet.   Satisfied the fluid is moving well, I massage any areas of discolouration due to hypostasis (remember from my previous blog post?) and clean the nails.   All the while I am also moving the limbs in their natural manner, encouraging fluid into the tips of fingers and toes.   I am checking the fluid distribution in the facial tissues and ensuring the lips are also picking up the fluid. 

During this time, the vein will start to release blood into the kidney dish and this can be quickly taken away using the suction of the embalming machine.   The blood and any other fluids are held in a glass jar until disposal at the end, into the sluice.

When I am satisfied that sufficient fluid has been injected, I turn that tube off and remove it, ligating the vessel.   Then I repeat the injection into the distal tube to enable embalming of the arm and hand.   During this time, I attach to the suction tube an instrument called a Trocar, and make a small incision near the breastbone and puncture all organs and aspirate all other body fluids away.   For example, the stomach contains fluid, the lungs may contain fluid, as may the bladder and intestines.   All this fluid will do its natural job and speed decomposition, but we want to halt it for a few days so a lovely viewing experience can be achieved.  

Once all injection and aspiration is complete, a cavity chemical is injected into the abdomen using the trocar to aid embalming of the intestinal tract.  Then I use eyecaps over the eyeballs and gently close the eyes.  I place cotton wool into the throat from the mouth to prevent any fluids coming up and out (not something the families need to experience in chapel) and suture my incisions.   At this time I also take care of any wounds such as IV sites, or slipped skin etc...

The mouth is closed using another small suture (not using the lips!) and shaving is carried out.  It is also at this time that I wash the hair, dry and if needed tong it.   Moisturiser is then rubbed over the face to ensure it doesn't get sore and dry out.   Bottoms are checked for poop or wee, cleaned and if needed cotton wool is packed.

Eyelashes and eyebrows get a once over with a clean wand.  Ladies receive a light blusher.