Embalmers prepare deceased humans for burial.
The process begins with disinfecting the body to help prevent the spread of disease. Most people connect the embalming process with preserving the body long enough for funeral services.
Embalmers usually work in a funeral home or morgue. Embalmers can also be found in hospitals and medical schools.
When a human body is delivered, the body is:
• Washed with germicidal soap and then dried.
• Shaved when necessary
• Other cosmetic duties as required such as fingernail clipping, hair cutting, and makeup.
• Inserting tubes into the deceased body to remove the blood.
• Replace blood with embalming fluid
• Fix or repair certain visible parts of the body that has been damaged due to violent death such as a car accident, gunshot or fall. Materials used can be cotton, was, or plastic.
• Dressing the body
• Placing body in casket. There are times when the body must be transported to another location. In these cases, the body must be placed in a special transportation case or casket that meets various standards.
Other Duties (funeral homes):
• Many embalmers also serve as funeral directors.
• Help with funeral services
Other Duties (hospital, morgue or medical school):
• Assist with autopsies
• Prepare body for examination. Cause of death.
Other Duties (legal):
• File police reports
• Testify to explain or help to explain probably or certain cause of death