Does the embalming fluid change color of the deceased?
The embalming fluids used in funeral homes to prepare bodies for viewing contain coloring agents to impart a (hopefully) natural color to the skin. In life, the blood in the capillaries gives color to the skin, even in dark-skinned persons. The embalming fluid replaces the blood, so a coloring agent is helpful in maintaining appropriate coloring to the skin. The embalmer can add additional coloring to the embalming solution as needed, such as to overcome the yellow skin tone of jaundice. The more color that can be added internally through the embalming fluid injected, the less external cosmetics need to be applied to achieve a suitable appearance for viewing.
