FAQS on Embalming
FAQS on Embalming
What Happens To A Body After Death?
When we die, our bodies will undergo decomposition. In Singapore, major hospitals would have a mortuary where limited bodies can be refrigerated. Nursing homes on the other hand, would have no body storage facilities and would require the body to be collected by the funeral home within a few hours of death. Both refrigeration and embalming the bodies are ways to preserve bodies. Take note that both methods do not stop decomposition but simply help to slow the process down. Decomposition will still happen albeit at a lower rate.
What Happens If We Choose Not To Embalm The Body?
Decomposition has typically 5 stages and in the first stage - the fresh/ self-digestion stage, the body undergoes rigorous mortis and becomes hard. The body also begins to eat itself from the inside and internal organs will start to decompose. Within a few hours of death, it is not unusual to have the corpse defecating as the body releases stool from the rectum and urine from the bladder. This is totally normal because our muscles relax after death. In some cases, the eyes of a decedent or mouth would be opened as well as the muscles relax. Fret not for this does not mean that your loved one has not gone in peace. It is just a normal bodily process that happens upon death. If a body remains not embalmed, it will be tough to have the eyes and mouth closed up nicely.
Within hours to days, the body will have an obvious change in color as decomposition happens more rapidly. Bloating of the body may also occur as gasses are produced by the bacteria as they reproduce and grow. Bloating will then lead to gases being released that will attract flies and maggots. The body will start to smell.
When Should We Start The Embalming Process?
Funeral homes like us typically aim to collect the decedent as soon as possible, to bring the body back to the embalming care centre so as to begin the embalming process. As much as possible, we would want to begin the embalming process before the body harden. We have professional female and male embalmers on site who will first cleanse the body with soap that is gentle to the skin. Then our professional embalmers will massage the body to relieve the stiffening at the joint and muscles. Shaving of the facial hair will be done if needed at this stage. Only after massaging the body, would the replacement of bodily fluids with chemicals be done. No where in the embalming process are the organs removed unless it is a post-mortem case.
Is It Better To Refrigerate or Embalm A Body To Slow Down Decomposition?
Singaporeans in general do not like the body of their loved one to be stored in a refrigerator. The idea of that is simply too daunting. The human body is not meant to withstand extreme temperatures and in extreme cold, the blood vessels can burst, giving rise to red blotches on the skin. Placing a body in the refrigerator assumes the risk of such an occurrence. Also, do take note that some time would be needed to thaw the body for embalming if it is being placed in the refrigerator.
Why Does My Loved One Look Different After Embalming?
Our professional embalmers will do their best to restore a body back to its original state as much as possible. However, certain circumstances will render it hard to do so such as when death happens because of an accident or when it is a post mortem case. In such cases, the bodies might appear bloated. Our experienced morticians will do the make up as natural as possible unless otherwise requested by family members. All our embalmers are licensed and have years of experience in this field. It is our duty to ensure that the bodies are as much as possible pleasant for viewing so as to help provide a good memory for those who come and visit the funeral wake.
Can I Use Dry Ice To Preserve The Body Instead?
Yes you can but it is generally not done in Singapore especially for Buddhist and Taoist funeral wakes as the coffins would have to be opened for the dry ice to be replaced periodically. Buddhists and Taoists have a tradition not to open the coffin once it has been closed to allow the dead to rest in peace. Hence, the idea of replacing the dry ice would not seat well for Buddhist and Taoist Funerals. Moreover, the placing of dry ice to keep the body in a less than warm environment is not an ideal method to slow down decomposition in a climate like Singapore. Embalming would still be the most effective method.
Can I Have My Loved One’s Hair Dyed After Death?
Our hairs stop growing when we die and it is not uncommon to see hair dropping after death as our cells die and decomposition occur. These are facts that most funeral companies do not share. We have professional morticians in house who can dye the hair of your loved one. Pass us the hair dye and we will professionally dye the hair of your loved one to help ensure he or she looks as pleasant as possible for viewing.
Can I Paint The Nails Of My Loved One After Death?
Yes, at Harmony Funeral Care, our professional embalmer will paint the nails of your loved one. Simply provide us the nail polish of your choice and we will ensure that your loved one have pretty nails after!
A humble service done in remembrance of Mr Tee Hock Chwee, founder of Hock Hin Undertaker established since 1963
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