With roots that trace back as early as 6000 BC to Ancient Egypt, the art of preserving the bodies of the deceased is not a new concept.
Today, embalming is a personal preference which is also shaped by religious reasons, sanitation concerns or the type of funeral arrangements made by family.
It is usually bundled in with other funeral services as it has grown to become essential for funerals in Singapore.
If you’re not sure what embalming is or wish to find out more about it, read on to discover what it is and its importance, as well as take a closer look at the entire process.
What Is Embalming?
Embalming is a process that preserves the body by draining the body’s remaining fluids and injecting a chemical fluid in an artery to be pumped throughout the body.
It is carried out to prevent decomposition from taking place immediately after the deceased body’s heart stops beating.
Although embalming preserves the body, it does not mummify or completely prevent the decomposition process, which inevitably takes place – albeit at a much slower rate.
The Importance And Purpose Of Embalming
In Singapore’s humid climate, embalming can be especially useful to prevent the body from decomposing and retain its appearance especially when left outdoors during a tentage funeral at a HDB void deck.
As the human skin begins to discolour and sometimes release potent odours while the body begins to decompose, embalming is the best solution as it effectively restores a lifelike hue to the skin and gets the body set to a natural expression.
Even if the body has undergone some impact – perhaps from an accident – or other tragic circumstances, embalming ensures that such details are removed. The body is then presented in a composed, natural manner.
Hence, it is important especially for open casket funerals or if the family wishes to spend more time with their loved one after he or she has passed away.
On top of being more suitable for viewing, some other reasons for embalming include funeral delays, if the body needs to be repatriated or if the person has made a request for it during funeral pre-planning.
The Embalming Process
The very first step of the process is to clean the body and then place it in the same position that it would be inside the casket. This is done at the beginning because the body will remain firm and hold its position as the process goes on.
After which, the remaining bodily fluids are drained from the body and replaced with formalin, which is injected into the main arteries. Formalin is what preserves the body for the entire funeral duration.
The face of the deceased is also then prepared to appear as if he or she is in a deep sleep.
As for clothing, the deceased’s family members usually decide on the outfit – be it something new or clothes that have sentimental value.
Depending on factors such as weight, amount of physical damage to the body and makeup requirements, the embalming process takes minimally an hour to complete.
As the volume of fluid required varies according to body weight, the person embalming the body must have the technical skills and knowledge in order to properly carry out the process.
We’re Here For All Your Funeral Needs
At Singapore Casket, we ensure that meticulous care is taken during the embalming process and that the bodies are treated with utmost respect so that they can be preserved and presented with dignity.
Our professional funeral directors have decades of experience and are committed to helping fulfil the last wishes of your loved one and delivering a funeral wake that is memorable, dignified and heartfelt.
We can handle every aspect of your loved one’s funeral arrangement – from embalming and makeup as well as memorial gemstone services to exhumation & remain relocation and post funeral services.
You can learn more about our full range of funeral services here or get in contact with us at 6293 4388, we are open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
