Advancing the Standards of Funeral & Cemetery Care

When you’re working in any embalming facility, you don’t have time to wonder if your chemicals are going to work. They have to work. Every case deserves consistency, and every family deserves confidence in the final result. I believe confidence is one of the most important character traits an embalmer can possess because confidence comes from preparation, experience, and using products you trust. Over the years, I have found myself returning to the same arterial mixture time and time again for the average case. It is simple, effective, predictable, and produces the kind of results I want for both short term services and extended holding periods. One of the greatest benefits of understanding embalming chemistry is that you’re no longer simply following a recipe. You understand why each chemical is being used, what role it plays, and what your final arterial solution will actually accomplish. My Standard Three Gallon Mixture I begin by filling my Frigid Embalming Machine with two gallons of water. The very first product I add is: 16 oz Water Clot Guard Water Clot Guard serves as both a pH balancer and anticoagulant. I like allowing it to circulate in the machine for at least five minutes before adding the remaining chemicals. Giving the water time to condition helps create an optimal pH, allowing the rest of the arterial solution to perform at its highest potential. After allowing the Water Clot Guard to circulate, I add: 8 oz Plasma Flo or Free Flo 16 oz 36 Plus 32 oz Tissue Guard 32 16 oz Eotone (27 Index) 8 oz Leak Guard Finally, I add enough water to bring the total solution to three gallons. Product Breakdown Product Amount Primary Purpose Water Clot Guard 16 oz Conditions water, balances pH, improves anticoagulation Plasma Flo or Free Flo 8 oz Improves vascular distribution 36 Plus 16 oz Primary preservative Tissue Guard 32 32 oz Humectant properties, moisture retention, excellent dye Eotone (27 Index) 16 oz Additional preservation and natural color development Leak Guard 8 oz Glutaraldehyde sanitizing properties and leak control Final Formaldehyde Percentage Using the Embalm Calc App, this formulation produces a final formaldehyde concentration of 5.17%. For me, 5.17% has become my minimum arterial solution for nearly every standard case. With today’s healthcare environment, we’re increasingly encountering cases involving prolonged hospitalization, several days between death and embalming, extensive medication therapy, dehydration, and elevated nitrogenous waste within the tissues. These factors often require a stronger, well balanced arterial solution to achieve consistent preservation. That being said, this is simply my personal preference developed through years of embalming in any prep room / embalming facility. Every embalmer should begin with a thorough pre embalming analysis and adjust their solution according to the individual needs of each case. There is no universal mixture that works for every decedent. Experience, observation, and sound embalming judgment will always be your greatest tools. Why Each Product Has Earned Its Place Water Clot Guard Everything begins with the water. Water Clot Guard conditions the water, balances pH, and improves anticoagulation before the arterial chemicals are even introduced. I truly believe this simple step allows every chemical that follows to perform more effectively. Plasma Flo or Free Flo Excellent preservation starts with excellent distribution. Plasma Flo or Free Flo improves vascular flow by helping reduce resistance within the vascular system, allowing arterial solution to reach more tissue. Better distribution leads to better preservation. 36 Plus 36 Plus serves as the primary preservative within this mixture. It provides dependable fixation while maintaining excellent penetration and consistently produces the level of preservation I expect. Tissue Guard 32 Tissue Guard 32 has become one of my favorite arterial chemicals. Increasing it to 32 ounces provides additional humectant support while maintaining dependable preservation. Its built in dye also provides excellent visual feedback during injection, allowing me to monitor distribution throughout the embalming process. Families appreciate natural presentation, and this product consistently helps me achieve that goal. Eotone Eotone’s 27 index complements the mixture beautifully by contributing additional preservation while helping develop natural color. It works exceptionally well alongside Tissue Guard 32 and 36 Plus to produce firm yet lifelike tissue. Leak Guard Leak Guard deserves more attention than it often receives. Its glutaraldehyde content provides excellent sanitizing characteristics while also helping control leakage in difficult cases. It is one of those products that quietly contributes to the success of nearly every embalming. Why This Mixture Performs So Well for Long Term Holds One of the biggest misconceptions in embalming is that stronger always means better. In reality, success comes from balance. This formulation provides enough preservative strength to confidently handle long term holding periods while still promoting moisture retention, excellent vascular distribution, natural color, and cosmetically pleasing tissue. Each chemical has a specific purpose, and together they create an arterial solution that consistently delivers dependable results. Confidence Comes From Preparation This mixture continues to earn my confidence because it consistently delivers the results I expect. Every embalmer will eventually develop their own preferred formulation, and that’s exactly how it should be. A successful arterial solution is built upon proper case analysis, an understanding of chemistry, and confidence in the products you’re using. For me, this mixture has become the standard against which I compare everything else. It has proven itself time and time again in a any preparation rooms, and that’s why it continues to be my first choice for the majority of the cases I embalm. At the end of the day, confidence doesn’t come from guessing. It comes from understanding your chemistry, trusting your preparation, and knowing that when you begin your injection, your solution is ready to perform. When that confidence is paired with sound embalming judgment and quality chemicals, you’re giving every family your very best. You can find all of these excellent products by visiting www.frigidfluid.com. And as always, stay cool, stay confident, stay consistent, and #EmbalmBetter.

Every embalming presents its own unique challenges, but tissue donor cases ask us to bring together nearly every skill we have  They require a solid understanding of anatomy, thoughtful chemical selection, restorative techniques, and above all, patience. These are not cases where shortcuts exist, nor should they. After all, the person entrusted to our care made one final decision that changed someone else's life.  When a tissue donor arrives in the preparation room, one of the first things we notice is just how different these cases can be based on what may have been procured. Extensive tissue or long bone recovery often means familiar anatomical landmarks have changed dramatically. Finding suitable arteries may take more time than usual, which is why a strong understanding of the vascular system becomes so important. Of course, you all remember your anatomical guides and limits, right? The ones your embalming teacher drummed into your head repeatedly?  Knowing that a single injection site is impossible, we know we are going to have to use several vessels to distribute our fluid. Vascular injection is the most reliable way to get even diffusion, so we must start there no matter how damaged the vessels may be.   Each donor is unique in their causes of death, so navigating that is the first step. If the tissues appear dehydrated, products such as Eotone, Perfect Tone, or Lanol-Tex. These fluids provide excellent preservation while helping restore a more natural appearance. On the other hand, if the donor has excessive tissue moisture or the case requires longer-term preservation, products like Frigid Rigid or 36 Plus are often the better choice. Of course, embalming is rarely an all-or-nothing decision. One of the advantages we have is the ability to combine fluids to create exactly what the case requires. If you want the stronger preservation of one product along with the cosmetic benefits of another, there is nothing stopping you from doing exactly that.    We should also consider including vascular conditioning chemicals such as Free Flo or Plasma Flo whenever the situation calls for them. Improving circulation and helping remove clots gives the arterial solution the best opportunity to reach every tissue possible. One of the advantages of long bone procurement in particular is that there are a lot of drainage points, and anything we can do to bolster solution diffusion will help considering that several drainage points is also one of the disadvantages of these cases.    No matter how well the vascular injection goes, tissue donor cases always require supplemental treatment. Once injection is complete, careful evaluation of every procurement site should be done before moving to hypodermic preservation. Using a hypovalve trocar, injection of arterial solution directly into the muscle and dermal layers surrounding long bone recovery sites or into the tissues affected by organ or skin donation. These localized treatments ensure preservation reaches areas that simply cannot be reached through the vascular system alone.  Once that's complete, we can move on to topical treatment.  One of the most useful products for this stage is Frigid Fluid Cauterant. Saturated Frigid Prep Towels placed directly over the dissected tissues, allows the phenol-based chemical time to cauterize, disinfect, and preserve the exposed areas. Depending on the circumstances, a low-index cavity fluid can also be an excellent option for topical preservation. For partial or full thickness skin procurement, these packs can be refreshed and secured in place post bathing.   Before closing any incisions, I like to apply Hardening Compound, Autopsy Compound or Paulex Powder throughout the procurement sites. These products help remove excess moisture, improve tissue firmness, and reduce the likelihood of postoperative leakage.   Once thorough preservation procedures have been completed, it's time for cavity treatment.  This remains one of the most important parts of any embalming, donor case or otherwise.  If the body cavities have been untouched, normal aspiration and cavity injection can take place.  If organs have been removed as part of the donation process,  treat them directly and the areas around them with a hypovalve trocar using a low-index cavity fluid to cut down on exposure to fumes.   After preservation is complete, attention shifts toward protecting our work.  Once every incision has been carefully closed and the donor has been thoroughly bathed, apply Seal-O-Tite over each surgical closure. This creates a durable barrier that helps prevent leakage while providing additional protection throughout visitation and funeral services.  From there, the donor can be wrapped using Frigid Fluid Stretcher Sheets, securing them with the appropriate tape. These absorbent sheets provide another layer of protection for clothing, bedding, and the casket interior. Finally, I place the donor into properly fitted plastic garments. Combined with the stretcher sheets and sealed incisions, these garments create a moisture-resistant system that helps preserve both the donor and the family's peace of mind. Extra Paulex Powder can also be placed in the plastic garments before dressing as an extra insurance policy.   Embalming tissue donors can certainly be a time intensive procedure but remember, someone made the decision to help another person after they were gone.  Our responsibility is to honor that decision by being just as generous with our own skills and attention to detail. When we approach these cases thoughtfully, use the appropriate products, and refuse to rush the process, we provide families with the opportunity to remember their loved one with dignity while honoring the incredible gift they chose to give.

I'd start by saying this: there are no magic chemicals that stop decomposition. In fact, it is the way of the Universe to lead to disorder. BUT we can do our best to halt the process temporarily. Every successful embalming begins with understanding why the body is changing and then selecting the right chemicals to interrupt those changes. Advanced decomposition is one of the most demanding situations an embalmer will encounter, but with a sound knowledge of the science and a systematic approach, meaningful preservation and disinfection can lead to restoration.    Understanding What Causes Decomposition  When we think about decomposition, it's easy to focus on what we see; the discoloration, swelling, odors, skin slippage, and tissue breakdown. Those visible changes are simply the result of several biological processes occurring at the same time.  One of the primary drivers is hydrolysis, a chemical reaction in which water breaks apart carbohydrates, lipids, and, most importantly, proteins. As proteins degrade, the body's chemistry changes resulting in more free nitrogen which increases our preservative demand. The pH shifts throughout the decomposition process, moving from its normal slightly alkaline state to acidic and eventually becoming more alkaline again as carbohydrates followed by soft proteins decompose. These changes vary depending on moisture levels and tissue condition, but one constant remains: as proteins continue to break down, nitrogen-containing by-products accumulate, increasing the body's preservative demand as I mentioned above.  At the same time, putrefaction is taking place. Anaerobic bacteria, the microorganisms naturally present within the body, begin consuming tissue after death. As they metabolize proteins, they generate gases, discoloration, odor, and extensive tissue destruction. These bacteria thrive in moist environments and use nitrogen compounds produced during decomposition, accelerating the breakdown process.  By the time a case reaches advanced decomposition, the embalmer is dealing with much more than bacterial growth. Tissues have often begun to dehydrate in some areas while accumulating fluid in others due to gravity. Skin slippage develops as autolysis (the self-destruction of cells) weakens tissue attachments. Smaller blood vessels and capillaries deteriorate, making arterial distribution increasingly difficult, while bacterial gas further complicates preservation by putting pressure on smaller apertures. Every one of these changes influences the embalming strategy.  Beginning the Embalming Process  Because decomposition creates such high preservative demand, our first priority is building an arterial solution capable of meeting that challenge while planning supplemental treatments for areas that will inevitably receive poor distribution.  Before raising vessels, we begin with surface disinfection. Applying Frigid Contact to the body's surface and natural orifices provides an initial reduction in surface microorganisms. Allowing the disinfectant several minutes of contact time before washing improves its effectiveness.  Building the Arterial Solution  For severe decomposition, we can typically rely on a combination of products rather than a single arterial fluid.  36 Plus  The foundation of the solution is often 36 Plus. Its high-index formulation provides the preservative strength needed for advanced decomposition. The formulation also incorporates the antimicrobial chemistry found in Stop, helping combat bacterial activity while the elevated formaldehyde rapidly cross-links remaining proteins.  Stop also has a more effective chemical for penetrating bacterial cell walls compared to tissue gas fluids that simply contain glutaraldehyde. This stabilization makes tissue less susceptible to continued enzymatic and bacterial destruction.  An additional advantage is the silicone component, which improves diffusion into damaged capillaries and compromised vascular beds where circulation has already deteriorated.  Frigid Rigid  Alternatively, or in addition to, a high index fluid such as Frigid Rigid is also dependable.  In addition to a high index, it also contains triethanolamine, a chemical that acts as a pH buffer, water conditioner, surfactant, and emulsifier, allowing the chemicals to mix more effectively in a hostile environment. Since decomposition destroys structural proteins and  leaves tissue soft and fragile, this aid allows for formaldehyde to travel more effectively during injection.   Free Flo    Advanced decomposition frequently produces thickened blood as moisture settles, postmortem clots, and vascular sludge that interfere with arterial distribution. Free Flo helps reduce resistance within the vascular system, improving movement of embalming solution throughout compromised vessels. Its small amount of formaldehyde also contributes to additional preservative value during injection.  Water Clot Guard    Protein breakdown and mineral deposits often obstruct blood vessels in decomposed remains. Water Clot Guard helps dissolve or prevent these blockages, allowing arterial fluid to reach areas that might otherwise remain untreated.  Plasma Flo    When circulation pathways have been damaged, improving penetration becomes critical. Plasma Flo reduces the surface tension of the embalming solution, helping it travel farther into compromised tissue where conventional distribution may be limited.  Evaluating Distribution  During injection, we of course constantly monitor signs that the solution is reaching the tissues. Color change, firmness, and tissue fixation all indicate successful preservation.  Even with an aggressive arterial solution, however, perfect distribution is uncommon in advanced decomposition. That's why localized treatment is such an important part of the process.  Treating Areas of Poor Distribution  Any region that fails to receive adequate arterial fluid requires supplemental preservation.  Cauterant works well as both a hypodermic and surface treatment. Because the Frigid Embalming Machine is designed to handle a wide variety of chemicals, Cauterant can also be incorporated into the arterial solution when internal bleaching of discoloration is desired through vascular distribution. Combined with a strong arterial mixture, this approach can improve both preservation and cosmetic results.  Controlling Bacterial Activity  Bacteria remain one of the greatest threats in advanced decomposition, even after arterial embalming begins.  Stop is particularly valuable because it targets tissue gas and other bacterial activity while also eliminating insect infestation, including maggots when present. Its versatility allows it to be administered through the vascular system, injected hypodermically into localized areas, or introduced directly into body cavities when conditions warrant.  The Importance of Cavity Treatment  No matter how successful arterial embalming has been, cavity treatment remains essential.  The thoracic and abdominal cavities contain the highest concentrations of bacteria within the body. These areas often continue decomposing even after arterial injection, making direct cavity preservation critical.  Premium Cavity  Premium Cavity provides strong cavity preservation while incorporating the antimicrobial chemistry of Stop. It penetrates tissues surrounding the organs and helps arrest bacterial activity where decomposition is often most advanced.  Pharos Cavity    When excessive moisture, gas, and odor are present, Pharos Cavity becomes an excellent choice. As the strongest cavity fluid in the Frigid line, its phenol content provides exceptional preservation while promoting tissue drying and deodorization, creating a more stable internal environment.  Both cavity chemcials can also be hypodermically injected with the Frigid Embalming Machine if necessary to treat areas that did not receive ample diffusion during arterial injection.   Surface Preservation  Despite every effort to achieve complete arterial distribution, some exposed tissues may still require additional protection.  Applying Vis-O-Guard gel to these areas provides continued preservation through its formaldehyde content while also delivering the antimicrobial benefits associated with Stop. This added layer of protection helps guard against ongoing bacterial activity in tissues that remain especially vulnerable.  Advanced decomposition cases challenge every embalmer because they demand more than technical skill and patience. They require an understanding of the science behind tissue breakdown. Hydrolysis, bacterial metabolism, vascular deterioration, moisture imbalance, and protein degradation all influence the decisions made during preparation.  Each chemical selected should have a specific purpose. High-index arterial fluids stabilize tissue. Co-injection chemicals improve distribution. Bacterial control products interrupt putrefaction. Cavity chemicals preserve the body's most active sites of decomposition, while surface treatments protect areas that arterial fluid cannot adequately reach.  When you understand the mechanisms driving decomposition, product selection becomes less about following a recipe and more about solving a series of scientific problems. That approach consistently leads to better preservation, even in the most challenging cases.