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Preparing the Remains for Burial or Cremation
Is embalming required?
Depending on local regulations, funerals that take place soon after death may not require embalming. Embalming is a method of temporarily preserving the body to:
- Make it easier to transport the body over a long distance.
- Give survivors ample time to schedule and hold funeral services.Refrigeration can also preserve the body, but it’s not always available. If it’s necessary to transport unembalmed remains, they may be packed in ice. Laws in most states require that the deceased be embalmed or placed in refrigeration within 24 hours of death. Federal law prohibits funeral providers from misrepresenting the legal necessity of embalming.
How should the deceased be dressed?
The deceased can be dressed according to his or her wishes. If no preference was prearranged, apparel is usually chosen by the family. Oftentimes a favorite suit or dress is selected, as well as jewelry and eyewear. On the other hand, family members may choose to purchase an entirely new outfit for their loved one. Religious practices may dictate that a simple garment be used for burial. Of course, articles of clothing and jewelry can be worn for purposes of a visitation and funeral ceremonies and then removed for burial.
Should any personal items be buried with the deceased?
Personal items can be buried with the deceased according to his or her wishes or those of the family. Some caskets have special drawers to hold items such as jewelry, medals, awards or momentos.
Why should a DNA sample be taken before interment?
Advances in genetic research and technology make it possible to create an unique genetic profile of each of us from our DNA. Many scientists believe that many, if not all, diseases and disorders are rooted in our genes. A genetic history of a family can be used to assess a predisposition to certain diseases among current family members and future descendents. This valuable information can be used to prevent and treat diseases and disabilities. A DNA profile may also be used to establish parentage which may be helpful in resolving estate issues.
Your Funeral Director can help you make arrangements with a firm specializing in DNA profiling. Obviously, the best time to take the sample is prior to interment. And if a cremation is performed, the opportunity to sample
the DNA will be lost.
Under what circumstances should an autopsy be performed?
An autopsy is a post-mortem examination of the body, both externally and internally, for purposes of diagnosing disease, injury, and to determine cause of death. Autopsies may include laboratory analysis of tissue, cell samples, and body fluids as well. Pathologists and forensic pathologists are the medical specialists trained to perform autopsies.
An autopsy may be ordered by the coroner or medical examiner to determine the cause or manner of death, or to recover potential evidence such as a bullet or alcohol content in the blood. Families may elect to have an autopsy performed to identify any diseases that may be inherited, thereby posing a potential risk for family members. Also, a family may authorize a hospital autopsy to determine the extent of a known disease to assess the effects of therapies that were being used to treat the disease. This would be beneficial from a medical research standpoint.