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Embalming is a technique for sterilizing, preventing, and restoring human remains.

In addition to preventing infection from the body, it also plays an important role in grief care for the bereaved family by delaying postmortem changes caused by decomposition and restoring the body to its original appearance.
It may also be performed for the purpose of sanitary preservation when transporting remains to (or from) overseas.
Although not well known in Japan, it is a common practice for funerals in the United States and Canada, and is also widespread in European and Asian countries.

The history of corpse preservation techniques is long, and its origins can be traced back to the mummies of ancient Egypt. Later, in medieval Europe, the preservation of human remains for medical research from an anatomical standpoint, the method of injecting embalming fluid into blood vessels was introduced.
In modern times, the need to return the bodies of soldiers to their distant homelands during the American Civil War in the 1860s led to major developments in preservation techniques. Later, embalming was also performed on many bodies during the Vietnam War, and further research led to the establishment of the current method.

3.2% of all deaths (2017).

Since 2015, the number of cases has increased at a rate of more than 5,000 per year, and demand is expected to continue to grow.

In addition to hygiene, such as protection against infection and decomposition, restoration and make-up can restore the deceased’s original appearance.

In addition, in recent years, geographic dispersion of families and congestion at crematoriums have often prolonged the days leading up to a funeral service. Even in such cases, the deceased can be kept in a peaceful and hygienic condition, allowing for a more relaxed farewell with more time to spare.
The disadvantage is that the procedure can only be performed in a dedicated facility, which allows time for the bereaved family and the deceased to be apart.

It can be stored for about 2 weeks without any problems.

Technically, preservation is semi-permanent with environmental control and regular maintenance. However, due to the Japanese custom of completing major rituals in 49 days, many businesses set the preservation period at 50 days or less. (except in the case of overseas transfer)

Preservation with dry ice mainly cools the chest and abdomen to delay decomposition, but does not prevent decomposition of the entire body. In addition, placing a large amount of dry ice on the body can be emotionally taxing on the bereaved family.
Embalming provides systemic antiseptic sterilization by injecting chemicals into the body, which is much more effective than dry ice and preserves the body in a natural state with no freezing or condensation.

Decomposition of a corpse can progress significantly even in just one day, depending on conditions such as temperature and prenatal illness. Dry ice cannot sufficiently prevent these changes.
In addition, when the number of deaths or crematorium conditions make the wait for cremation longer, embalming the body ensures that it is hygienically safe and allows the bereaved family to spend precious time with the deceased in peace.
In addition, embalming can give the deceased a peaceful look and restore emaciation due to illness or damage caused by accidents. It is also a technique that brings the deceased closer to his or her original appearance and allows for a better parting.

Angel care is a postmortem procedure generally performed in hospitals, which includes wiping with alcohol cotton, changing into a bathrobe, etc., stuffing with cotton, and applying makeup.
Based on the ritualistic significance of purifying the body of the deceased, yukan (hot water irrigation) is a postmortem procedure similar to angel care, and includes dressing and makeup. Some providers wash the body in a special bathtub and shower instead of cleansing it.
Embalming is a technique to sterilize, embalm, and restore the body. Body washing, dressing and makeup are also performed.

Embalming is performed by embalmers who have obtained a certification, at dedicated embalming facilities (55 facilities nationwide in 2017) in accordance with the laws and regulations set by the national and local governments.

The embalming facility accepts the body and verifies the treatment request form signed by the client.
After undressing and disinfecting the entire body, the facial expression is prepared and the face is shaved, if necessary. Next, a small incision is made in the body and embalming chemicals are injected through an artery while blood is drained from a vein.
A tubular instrument is then inserted through the abdomen to aspirate fluid and residual material from the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Antiseptic chemicals are then injected into the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The incisions are sutured, and the patient’s entire body is washed and cleansed. Finally, dressing and makeup are applied, and restorative procedures are performed as needed.
Currently, there is no law on embalming, but it is considered not illegal for embalmers who have received certification to perform the procedure in an appropriate manner (from a 2005 Osaka High Court decision).
See Q18 for qualification.

Embalming usually takes about three hours and typically costs between 150,000 and 200,000 yen.
It depends on the presence or absence of restoration treatment, the condition of the body, and the nature of the request.

Most companies assume that the request is based on the will of the surviving family members (spouse and relatives up to the second degree of kinship), or when the deceased person has clearly indicated in writing or otherwise his or her intention to request the service before his or her death.
The procedure is not allowed if there is an objection from a relative within the second degree of kinship.
In the absence of a spouse or a relative within the second degree of kinship, the funeral director, or in the case of a disaster, the government or the police, etc., may make the request.
In practice, the request is finalized when the client signs the “Embalming Request Form” in his/her own handwriting.

In general, requests can be made for facial expressions (eye opening and closing), thinning of the face, beard trimming, costume fitting, and makeup.
It may also be applicable to hair dyeing, manicures, etc.

A small incision is made in the body, and embalming chemicals are injected through an artery while the blood is drained from a vein. Usually, the chemicals are irrigated throughout the body through arteries in the neck and thighs, but the vessels to be used are determined according to the condition of the body. For example, if there is some problem with the aorta that prevents perfusion to the entire body, the drugs are injected individually from multiple arteries. In areas where embalming by injection from blood vessels is difficult or inadequate, embalming is performed using a transdermal pack or subcutaneous injection of chemicals with specialized equipment.

It is sold by a manufacturer specializing in embalming chemicals. In addition to formaldehyde, the main active ingredient in embalming, these chemicals contain alcohols and moisturizers. For temporary preservation or as an environmental measure, formaldehyde-free chemicals are also available. There are various types of embalming chemicals in terms of formaldehyde content, color tone, etc., and the most suitable one for the condition of the body is selected from among them.

Process according to the municipality’s instructions.

The most common method is to collect and dispose of the liquid waste, either contained in a tank or treated with an absorbent, as infectious waste to a disposal contractor.
Some facilities incorporate sewage treatment systems as part of their facilities and chemically treat the wastewater before discharging it.

In accordance with the wishes of the deceased during his/her lifetime and the requests of the bereaved family, damage or loss caused by illness or accident is restored to its original form as much as possible using materials for restoration, and scars and bruises are made inconspicuous.
In addition, thin facial features caused by disease can be restored to fullness with the use of cotton or chemical injections.
Restoring redness to pale skin by injecting antiseptic pigments into the body is another restorative procedure.

Depending on the extent of damage and the degree of decay, restoration procedures may not be possible.
Based on the extent and condition of the damage, and after listening to the requests of the bereaved family, a treatment plan is determined.

Qualification is granted by an organization created to promote the proper implementation and dissemination of embalming (IFSA: Japanese Association for Hygiene and Preservation of Human Remains).
Currently, embalmers certified in Japan are
It is about 200 people (2018).

Some countries require embalming when the body is transported intact. Conversely, there are cases where embalming or cremation cannot be performed due to the religion of the deceased. Therefore, we will confirm the requests of the bereaved family and determine the method of transportation after a meeting.

Support can be provided in terms of infection prevention and grief care in the event of a disaster.
Although there are some limitations depending on the scale and nature of the disaster, if embalming can be performed on-site, not only the body but also the environment in which it is placed can be kept hygienic.
It is also believed that minimizing postmortem changes will allow for face-to-face contact with the deceased and ease the emotional burden on the bereaved family.