The People of Lippert-Olson Funeral Home
This room is the initial receiving area for all human remains that we care for. They are washed and held in this area until the type of service has been determined. If the family has selected a service with viewing, the embalming, hairstyling and dressing will be completed here.
Embalming:
Embalming is defined as process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to retard organic decomposition, and to restore an acceptable physical appearance.
To make this easier to understand I will break down the three parts and explain them.
A. Chemically treating the human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms.
The chemicals we use work much like a disinfectant does in a medical setting. They work to destroy the presence of microorganisms.
B. To retard organic decomposition.
Much of our body is made of protein (beef, pork and chicken are all examples of protein) and once the body can not keep supplying these cells with nourishment they die. The cells begin to die almost immediately which is called organic decomposition. Organic decomposition can only be delayed not prevented. Embalming provides the necessary delay of decomposition so families are able to hold the funeral in a timely manner.
C. To restore acceptable physical appearance.
The chemicals we use have a dye within them to provide additional skin tone color. The process can also restore some moisture to the tissues which may have been lost during an illness.