Here are some commonly held beliefs about embalming.
Many people believe
The truth is
Bodies need to be embalmed for public health.
(This forms the first point of the Code of Ethics
adopted by members of the British Institute
of Embalmers – “I believe that the practice of
Embalming is in the interest of Public Health
and promise to promote embalming to the best
of my ability.”)
Embalming provides no public health benefit according
to the US Centre for Disease Control and Canadian health
authorities.
Bodies need to be embalmed for health and
safety reasons.
There is no evidence that a body poses a threat to
the living, except where death was due to a notifiable
disease. No evidence exists of funeral directing, cemetery
or crematorium staff obtaining an infection from an
unembalmed body.
Embalmers suggest that the process thoroughly disinfects
the body and removes any risk, however slight, to any
person who may come in to contact with the body.
Conversely, it would b H