Prelude to the Science of Final Disposition
As human values change, society seeks new methods of final disposition of the human body. The family centered cultures devised funerary customs to remember the dead. Many customs and rituals varied within and between cultures and religious affiliations. In the United States, the rituals are divided into parts: visitation, funeral, cremation, cremation costs, direct cremation, cremation services and burial service. The body may or may not be embalmed to create a memory picture. Embalming sanitizes (cleans), preserves and provides a base for restorative treatment which may be classified as minor or major in its nature. Even though many methods of final disposition are not commonly practiced, it is important that the funeral director/embalmer has a basic understanding of their methodology. There will be individual families asking about the cremation options available to them for final disposition. The transient population influences these decisions. The process of embalming is temporary, which may begin with refrigeration followed by formalin or a non-formalin based solution. The formalin interacts with the protein converting it to an inert substance. The non-formalin solution interacts and neutralizes the enzymes that cause decomposition. Today, environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional burials and cremations are being offered. These are recommended to induce rapid return to the elements in a sanitary manner. Promession: eco-friendly “freeze -dried” method of final disposition. The body, after viewing is submerged in liquid nitrogen at 196 C then vibrated until it shatters into small particles. Resomation: an environmental method of alkaline hydrolysis sometimes referred to as “biocremation”. This is a process of accelerating natural decomposition. Prelude forty-seven will deal with general funeralization from a historical and cultural view point.
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