What is Embalming?
Embalming (a) disinfects a deceased person, and (b) temporarily preserves and restores them to an acceptable physical appearance. Since human remains begin to decompose almost immediately after death, the remains pose a public health concern if left untreated.
Additionally, embalming restores the body to an acceptable physical appearance for viewing following a traumatic death or devastating illness. Many bereavement experts agree that viewing the deceased confirms the reality of death and helps survivors take an important step toward recovering from their loss. Certain religious beliefs may prohibit embalming or place restrictions on its practice.
How does embalming help if death occurs abroad?
Embalming allows the body to be buried at some place other than where the death occurred and therefore permits friends and family to travel great distances, to attend the funeral ceremony.
At Wollongong City Funerals, we recognize that there are many people in our community from other countries, and we can arrange for a deceased person to be transferred back to their homeland. This will entail many hours of preparation and liaison with various government departments, but we will organise this for you.
The Embalming Process
The embalming process begins with the thorough washing and disinfection of the body. Embalming chemicals are injected into the body through one or more accessible arteries, while body fluids are drained through corresponding veins.
Crypt Entombments
It is a requirement in NSW that the deceased must be embalmed for all above-ground entombments. A qualified embalmer will provide a Certificate of Embalming. In these cases the internal casket must be either lined with zinc and hermetically sealed or use a modern equivalent called Bio-Seal®