Big Fitz
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- Nov 23, 2009
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Actually the embalming process is to allow enough time before decay starts disfiguring the body, allowing for a wake and funeral for viewing of the body.I think it's ironic that "traditional" now equates to being pumped full of formaldehyde or phenol. Psychologically, I think we do it because people can't cope with the thought that we are all going to decay.
I like the notion of just burying people instead of embalming them.
There is also a second reason for embalming thanks to the great Victorian age fear of being buried alive. There were too many times that people were buried alive and recovered in the casket only to die of a worse death, asphyxiation. This theory was born up with evidence of exhumed bodies (for whatever reason) having clawed at the lid of their casket trying to get out. At first, they tried silly things like adding a bell and string to the coffins so if someone did recover, they could ring for help and receive a little air, long enough to survive and be rescued.
This is the basis for the second reason for embalming: making sure they're dead. You don't live long if you've had all your blood sucked out and then pumped full of preserving chemicals like formaldehyde.
But since there is no stopping entropy and decay, the process only lasts for about a week or so before it takes hold. And that's on top of the fact that Americans eat so much processed foods, their tissue is preserved against rot for up to a week on it's own.