Embalming Theory and Procedures

Course Code: FSE 114

Academic Year: 2024-2025

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 for both the adult and infant body along with the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that effect decomposition are learned. The topic of death as it relates specifically to the body of the deceased is discussed, and an analysis of how refrigeration, delayed embalming, dehydration and emaciation impact the embalming procedure along with a discussion of the treatment for each is conducted. Additionally, an analysis of how the most common tissue variations (e.g., edema, tissue discolourations, etc.) impact the embalming procedure along with a discussion of the treatment for each is provided.