Embalming Theory and Procedures

This course provides the foundation for safe and dignified care of the deceased from the place of death up to the time of initial preparation. The concept of explaining embalming and restoration to a family in a sensitive way so as to secure informed consent is explored. Standard and autopsy embalming procedures are learned for both the adult and infant body along with the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that effect decomposition. The topic of death as it relates specifically to the body of the deceased is discussed and there is an analysis of how refrigeration, delayed embalming, dehydration and emaciation impact the embalming procedure along with the treatment for each. Additionally, there is an analysis of how the most common tissue variations (eg, edema, tissue discolourations, etc.) impact the embalming procedure along with the treatment for each.