PREPARING THE INFANT FOR VIEWING AND VISITATION
funeral home directors prefer for an infant’s arms to be slightly flexed so that the hands are covering the belly area, though not touching; this is so a toy, teddy bear, or other mementos may be placed in the infant’s arms. Another example, the infant’s head may be turned onto his/her right cheek to symbolize that babe is asleep, or it may just be slightly tilted like that of an adult. Careful attention must also be placed on the legs. It is common for the legs of an infant to bend upwards towards the torso. The use of cotton or towels as padding may be used in place of blocks for added positioning and filler within the casket if the infant seems too small for the size of the casket that is being used. ** Please note: if rigor mortis cannot be released before the embalming process through gentle manipulation, thin strips of sheeting may be used to hold the infant’s legs and or arms in a straight and posable position during the arterial injection.
Before dressing the infant and laying them into the casket, the body must be rewashed, incisions sealed, and cleaned. Make sure nails and orifices are clean and nails are clipped if necessary. In the case of thoracic embalming or autopsied cases, the infant should be placed in plastic garments underneath their clothing to prevent leakage of fluids. This is also advisable if the infant has skin slip or a high moisture index that is seeping through the skin; other factors could include injury or laceration of body parts that cannot be adequately sealed through conventional techniques. Long-sleeved garments and pants are recommended to minimize the use of cosmetics or other topical agents that may need to be applied, such as dyes or wax. If a family opts to place an infant girl in a dress, make sure to ask for or purchase tights to cover the legs and keep any plastic garments in place. The positioning of the infant for viewing purposes is generally at the discretion of the overseeing funeral home or director. Some
SUMMARY:
The prescribed methods, as mentioned above, are for purposes of infant embalming, and should be subject to such. The death of an infant has or can have several and severe emotional and psychological effects on the parents, nearest kin and the community. The preservation and presentation of the infant will have a lasting impression on the family and attendees of the services for years to come. Therefore, careful consideration must be practiced when selecting the appropriate fluids and treatment. Also, proper knowledge of age and underlying factors will have a significant impact on the embalming results and how the infant will be positioned and displayed for viewing purposes.
Infants, as defined in pediatric medicine, is a person aged from birth to 18 months of age. A toddler is aged 2 to 4 years. The embalming techniques that come with age cannot be combined into a general assembly of practices, including those of older adults. Influential determinations in the embalming practice begin with age, but go onto include conditions concerning injections sites, features, medical pre-dispositions, positioning, embalming, and index solution, pressure and many other factors that attribute to the final result.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Update on Overall Prevalence of Major Birth Defects–Atlanta, Georgia, 1978-2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2008; 57(1):1-5. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/facts.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infant mortality. Updated 27, March 2019. Ret. 9, June 2020, from: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/ infantmortality.htm Livingston Jr., Floyd R. MD and Gavin, Mary L. MD (reviewed) February 2017. Kids Health from Nemours. SIDS. Rep. 2008; 57(1):1-5. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/facts. html
Mayer, Robert G. (2000). Embalming. History, Theory & Practice. Third Edition. Pages 296- 298. Training. An Initiative of the Australian and State and Territory of Governments. Ret. 8, June 2020 from: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/SIFEMWK015
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Book Code: FFL1223
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