Forgive the macabre; however, how long does it take for a corpse to decompose when embalmed with formaline?

Question

Does embalming involve formaline or formaldyhyde; how is it administered; how long does it deay or slow decomposition; and why is it done?

Answer 1

Embalming is done with a formaldehyde or gluteraldehyde based fluid, with gluteraldehyde becoming more common because it is safer for the embalmer. Embalming is meant to retard decomposition, not prevent it. The are a lot of factors besides the embalming fluid that affect how long it will be before someone decomposes, such as the embalmer, the types of medicine the person was on that may adversely affect the body, the casket, the vault, the soil, the watertable, and on and on. So in answer to your question, there is no definite or exact time, since there are so many factors affecting the process to begin with. If anyone gives you an actual year amount, they are wrong, without a doubt. I have disinterred people that have been dead for 70 yrs., and he was perfect, they actually had another visitation for him!! On the contrary, I have disinterred someone buried for 3 months that was in advanced stages of decomposition, however she did not take the fluid well and had been on numerous medications prior to death. So I hope this helps a little! Take care!