The day comes sooner or later, and there’s no avoiding it. A well-loved family member passes away. It could be due to illness or old age. What needs to be done needs to be done. And one of those things is ensuring the deceased are correctly preserved, so they are presentable to their loved ones at the wake and funeral.
Almost every culture in the world practices embalming at funerals or before burial. In Singapore, however, embalming is still a relatively new practice. It is common knowledge that many undertakers engage in this service. Before you pay your next visit to your local funeral parlor, do you know which factors you should consider before choosing a company for embalming?
What is embalming?
Embalming is the process of preserving human remains by treating them (usually with various chemicals) and placing them in a container. This process is done to protect the body from decomposing. It is also a way to show respect for the deceased and help create closure for family members during times of grief.
Things You Need To Know About Embalming Services In Singapore
1. Only Authorized Persons May Embalm a Corpse
There are two types of embalming, arterial and cavity. Arterial embalming involves the removal of blood via a needle inserted into an artery, one at a time or in groups. Cavity embalming is done after arterial embalming when the organs are removed from the body and treated with chemicals. Only authorized persons may embalm a corpse.
The use of formaldehyde in embalming is a highly regulated procedure. The maximum amount that can be used during an embalming process is determined by state law, and it’s always less than what is needed for preservation.
Embalming fluid may contain alcohol, preservatives, or other chemicals that prevent body decomposition. In embalming fluid, formaldehyde, ethyl alcohol, and methanol are common preservative agents.
In Singapore, only registered funeral directors can perform these procedures. It is illegal for anyone else to do this without the proper training and licensing. If a person who is not an authorized person embalms a corpse, he commits an offense and shall be liable on conviction to a fine.
2. Embalming Is a Restorative Art
Embalming is a restorative art that has been practiced for centuries. The embalming process temporarily helps preserve and restore a body to its natural appearance. Embalmers use various techniques and chemicals to ensure that the deceased are presented in a way that respects the family’s wishes and religious beliefs.
The goal of embalming is to restore the body to a natural appearance acceptable for visitation and funeral services. Embalmers work with a variety of products that are used to treat and preserve the deceased. These products help maintain the lifelike appearance of the dead and provide protection against decomposition.
Embalmers also have an essential role to play in grief counseling. They are often called upon to explain their role in the preparation process, helping families understand what they can expect when they come in for their viewing or funeral service. Embalmers provide reassurance that they will do everything possible to ensure their loved one looks as they did when they were alive.
3. The Survival Rate of Embalming Is Decidedly High
The survival rate of embalming is decidedly high. Embalming has been used to preserve human remains for thousands of years and is still the standard technique used today.
Many things can affect how well embalming preserves a body. The type of fluid and preservative used, the condition of the body before death, and other factors all influence how long an embalmed body will last.
The first step in determining how long an embalmed body will last is understanding what happens to a dead body as it decomposes. When someone dies, their organs begin to shut down and stop working properly. This affects every part of their bodies, including their skin and muscles.
As time goes on, these tissues begin to break down and liquefy because they no longer have any blood circulating. If this process happens naturally, it can take several days or even weeks before the body is completely decomposed by bacteria and fungi found in soil or water nearby (source).
Embalming slows down this process by removing all excess fluids from the body and replacing them with chemicals that prevent bacteria from growing inside a dead person’s body (source).
4. Embalming Has Medicinal Benefits Too
Embalming has been used since ancient times to preserve the human body for burial. It involves treating the body with chemicals and replacing the blood with a mixture of formaldehyde, alcohol, and water.
The process preserves the body so family members can view it for a funeral service or viewing before burial or cremation. While this may seem like a morbid practice, it has several medicinal benefits that can benefit your health. Embalming slows down the decomposition of bodies and prevents them from becoming contaminated with harmful bacteria and fungi during funerals.
This helps prevent infections from spreading within families of loved ones and in public places such as hospitals or nursing homes where older people are cared for. Embalming also reduces the risk of transmitting diseases like hepatitis B and C through needle sticks at hospitals or other medical facilities where embalmers work.
5. Embalming Processes Vary With The Extent Of Decomposition
The embalming process is complex, and it can be challenging to know exactly what to expect. Embalmers use different techniques depending on the extent of decomposition. Here’s what you need to know about embalming processes:
An arterial injection may be used in cases where there are only minor signs of decomposition. With this technique, embalmers inject fluid directly into the artery under high pressure, pushing blood out of the heart and preventing it from flowing back into the body.
This method is used when there are no signs of decomposition or if there has been minimal damage to organs and tissues due to disease or trauma. A cavity embalming may be necessary when there is moderate decomposition or when organs have been damaged by disease or trauma.
In this case, the body cavity will be opened, and all blood vessels will be cleaned out before being filled with preservative-based fluids that prevent bacteria growth and help preserve organs and tissue for burial or cremation.
The extent of decomposition will determine what kind of embalming process you should use.
If your loved one has died for less than 24 hours, a simple preparation may be all you need. This includes washing the body, removing any fluid from the mouth and nostrils, cleaning any wounds or sores on the body, and dressing it in clean clothes.
If your loved one has been dead for more than 24 hours but not yet 72 hours (three days), you may want to consider using what’s called cavity embalming. In this case, an incision is made in the chest area to allow for draining out blood and replacing it with a preservative fluid such as formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde.
This embalming can help prevent further bacterial growth while preserving tissue integrity so that organs can be removed if necessary later.
6. Embalming Restricts Bacteria Growth and Odor in Decomposing Bodies
The embalming process has been used for thousands of years. It involves preserving a corpse to prevent decomposition and make it look more lifelike.
Embalming is carried out by injecting a chemical fluid into the circulatory system containing formaldehyde or other preservatives. The practice is common in funeral homes but can also be done at home when a person dies suddenly or unexpectedly.
Embalming has become increasingly popular as some see it as an essential part of grieving. Embalming can also reduce the risk of infection and disease, but it’s not without controversy.
The rise in popularity of cremation has led to concerns that it could increase the number of bodies being embalmed unnecessarily, with some people even choosing to have their ashes buried with an embalmed body.
7. The Purpose of Embalming Is to Delay the Decay of the Body for Funerals, Wake, and Other Disposal Arrangements
The purpose of embalming is to delay the body’s decay for funerals, wakes, and other disposal arrangements. Embalmers remove blood and fluids from the body and replace them with a chemical solution that helps preserve them. This process can take several hours or days, depending on the type of treatment needed.
Embalming is used in many countries worldwide but is prevalent in North America and Europe. When someone dies outside their home country, they’re often embalmed, so they don’t have to be transported back home as quickly as possible.
Sometimes, people may choose to have an open-casket funeral if they want their loved one to look as close to “normal” as possible during their final send-off. This means that the deceased person’s body will be cleaned up and dressed before being placed in an ornate casket for viewing during the service.
The reason this is important is that most people want to be able to see their loved ones one last time before they’re buried or cremated. Most funeral homes have unique viewing rooms where families can gather together with their deceased loved ones to say goodbye properly before burial takes place later on down the line.
8. You Can Choose Not To Have Your Loved Ones Embalmed
When you have lost a loved one, it can be challenging to know what actions to take next. The embalming process is common and is often the chosen option for funeral homes, but it’s not the only option.
You can choose not to have your loved ones embalmed and instead opt for natural burial methods or cremation. Natural burial methods are becoming more popular as more people learn about the environmental impact of embalming and cremation.
Natural burials allow families to bury their loved ones in a biodegradable casket that will decompose naturally over time or be placed in shrouds made from organic materials such as wool or cotton.
No harmful chemicals are used in this process so that the body will decompose naturally using bacteria and fungi found in soil. This process can take anywhere from two weeks to two years, depending on various factors such as temperature and humidity.
The final result is that there’s no need for an expensive casket, cemetery plot, or headstone because there’s nothing left to mark where your loved one was buried!
9. Age, Race, and Gender Do Not Affect the Price of Embalmment
The cost of embalming is determined by several factors, including the geographic location and the funeral home’s overhead expenses. Embalming is often used for a viewing or visitation after a funeral service but can also be required for an autopsy or medical study.
Embalming is not required by law, though authorities may recommend it in some cases. The National Funeral Directors Association recommends asking your funeral director about embalming if you have any questions about its necessity.
How Much Does Embalming Cost?
The average cost of embalming ranges from $200 to $1,000 depending on the state where you live and whether additional services such as cosmetics are included in the price. Factors that affect embalming costs include the geographic location.
The cost of embalming depends on where you live and where you plan to have your funeral service or burial (if at all).
10. Storing an Embalmed Body Is Possible for Long periods.
Embalming does not prevent decay; it simply slows the process down by replacing fluids with chemicals that stop bacteria from breaking down tissue. As long as a body is stored in a sealed casket or container and kept at a constant temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, it can remain preserved for years without much decay.
At the same time, if you wish to have your loved one returned home after death so they can say goodbye personally. Then you should consider making arrangements for an open-casket funeral service so their friends and family can see them for one last time before burial or cremation.
Storing an embalmed body is possible for long periods, provided the proper measures are taken to preserve it. Embalming fluids do not last forever. The fluids used during the embalming process have preservatives, but they will eventually break down over time and lose their effectiveness.
Refrigeration is not required for storing an embalmed body, but it will help slow down the decomposition process. Sunlight and heat can damage an embalmed body, so storing it away from these elements is preferable.
Turning on the air conditioning or heating units can dry out a body, so keeping humidity levels low is essential when storing an embalmed individual.
Where can you find the best embalming services in Singapore?
A common question is who provides the best embalming services in Singapore. We have always been known as a funeral home offering affordable quality care. Our reputation has been built on delivering personalized services, with particular attention to every detail of your loved one’s funeral.
We believe in treating you and your family like family. We put you first by providing the highest level of care with compassion, integrity, and professionalism.
Our staff comprises caring professionals dedicated to their work and committed to helping you through this challenging time in your life. Whether it’s our highly trained embalmers or our compassionate grief counselors, we will go above and beyond what is expected of us so that we can better serve your needs.
The best embalming services in Singapore come from Care Bereavement Services because we understand what it truly means when someone loses a loved one. Our staff can help guide you through the grieving process by providing practical advice about planning a funeral or memorial service, along with emotional support for those who are going through a tough time.
