Funeral embalming of dead body for transportation in India - a case report

• Author Details:   
• Rajasekhar SSSN
• K. Aravindhan
• V. Gladwin
• Parkash Chand

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Embalming is a process of preservation of dead body by injecting preservative fluid through arteries. Embalming of dead bodies is done if the body is going to be used either for academic purpose or has to be transported. In the absence of near relative of the deceased, a medical social worker accompanying the deceased requested for funeral embalming to enable transportation through the aeroplane. There are no provisions for funeral embalming in any of the Anatomy Acts enacted in various States in India. So, there is a need to formulate guidelines for transportation of embalmed dead body through air, rail, and road as the procedure is not done routinely like in western countries.

Keywords: Funeral embalming, Anatomy Act, Medical social worker, Near relative