How long can a body be kept viewable between death and burial?

Question

I understand that former President Ford will be viewed up until his burial on January 3rd in Grand Rapids. The public will be viewing his body 8 days after his death. I remember when my Mom passed away on a Tuesday that the Funeral Director told me that to wait until that weekend (4 days) for an open casket funeral was risking her not being presentable. So, we had the funeral on Friday. Has Mortuary Science come that far in the 12 years since - to keep a body presentable 8 days for viewing?

Answer 1

Properly prepared, the body can be kept "on display" basically forever (well, at least several decades). This isn't a recent development, though. Lenin and Saint Bernadette, for example, have been on perpetual display since their deaths, and look just about the same now as when they died. Eight days is no big deal. It's all just a question of money and effort.

Most of us and our loved ones, however, do not receive such elaborate care upon our demise. For a minimally-prepared body, a few days is still all you can reasonably expect for an acceptable viewing condition.

Answer 2

It all depends on Embalming chemicals and process used.

Most embalming solutions are designed to only prevent the decomposition of the body for a a certain time, basically time enough for the proper presentation (viewing) and burial.

In other cases (i.e. Lenin, the Pope, Ford) special solutions are created that will preserve (prevent the body from decomposing) for an indefinite period of time. In addition keeping the body chilled and dry can increase the length before the body will decompose.

Answer 3

Yes, it is very possible for someone to be viewed up to eight days, depending on the condition of their body at the time of death. Sometimes if the deceased had been on large amounts of medication, the medicine will adversely affect the embalming process and actually leaving the body unpreserved because of the reaction between the embalming fluid and medications. But in ordinary circumstances, bodies can remain preserved for years and years, I have seen a man dead for 70 years and they actually viewed him again!

Answer 4

One word: preparation. It all depends upon the method used to preserve the body. Others are correct. Adding to the options is a process called freeze drying. Some people freeze dry their pets instead of having them stuffed. One guy had his dad's skin tanned. It's on display, along with the tattoos, in his bar. It's all about preparation and local laws.

Answer 5

Decades!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenin's_Mausoleum


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Answer 6

Refridgeration and Embalming will slow the decomposing process considerably. Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers was exhumed 30 years after his death to retrieve evidence for his murder and was very well preserved.

Answer 7

How much does funeral home for keeping body

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

One word... refrigeration.